I″ta‐cism (?), n. [Cf. F. itacisme. See Etacism, and cf. Iotacism.] (Greek Gram.) Pronunciation of η (eta) as the modern Greeks pronounce it, that is, like e in the English word be. This was the pronunciation advocated by Reuchlin and his followers, in opposition to the etacism of Erasmus. See Etacism.
In all such questions between ε and αι the confusing element of itacism comes in. Alford.