prosthetic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to an artificial body part or prosthesis.
He was fitted for a prosthetic arm.
-
of or relating to the fields of surgical or dental prosthetics.
advances in prosthetic technology.
-
of or relating to a substance, item, or process used to transform a person’s appearance temporarily, especially as a theatrical special effect.
The final scene required painstaking application of prosthetic hair and skin.
noun
-
an artificial body part; a prosthesis.
Hundreds of amputees volunteered to test the new prosthetics.
-
an appearance-altering substance or item applied temporarily to a person’s face or body, especially to create a theatrical special effect.
Alien creatures are brought to life with realistic prosthetics.
Other Word Forms
- prosthetically adverb
Etymology
Origin of prosthetic
1735–40; < Modern Latin prostheticus, from Hellenistic Greek prosthetikós, equivalent to prósthet(os) “added on,” verbid of prostithе́nai “to add, put onto” ( pros- pros- ( def. ). + the-, stem of tithе́nai “to put, place” + -tos verbid suffix) + -ikos -ic ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These findings point to a wide range of possible applications, from sensory-based mental health treatments to prosthetic limbs that feel more natural to their users.
From Science Daily
He has spearheaded efforts to plant trees, clean up oceans, rivers and beaches, pay for strangers’ cataract surgeries and prosthetic limbs and has donated millions to charities such as Make-A-Wish and food banks.
The voice of Stephen Colbert, making announcements as the Digital Dean of Students, is heard, and Paul Giamatti puts on prosthetics to play the villain.
From Los Angeles Times
There’s colored contacts and facial prosthetics, a protruding belly and at least an hour of makeup.
From Los Angeles Times
"We will be receiving prosthetics and we hope to resume a normal life soon," Muhire, who is a patient at the centre, told AFP.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
