prosthetic

American  

[pros-thet-ik] / prɒsˈθɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to an artificial body part or prosthesis.

   He was fitted for a prosthetic arm.

2. of or relating to the fields of surgical or dental prosthetics.

   advances in prosthetic technology.

3. 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.

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noun

1. an artificial body part; a prosthesis.

   Hundreds of amputees volunteered to test the new prosthetics.

2. 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

"It looked like an upside down lemonade bottle with something on top then it sorted of clicked that it was a prosthetic leg," she said.

From BBC

His mandate to create the prosthetics and makeup that transformed Jacob Elordi into the Creature aimed to make him look like an artwork that Victor Frankenstein handcrafted.

From Los Angeles Times

He watched his grandfather send prosthetics, wheelchairs and toys to children in Israel monthly.

From The Wall Street Journal

Walking the runway with her prosthetic leg wrapped in a colourful African print her appearance made a big impact.

From BBC

She had started using a prosthetic nose but had to stop after suffering an allergic reaction.

From BBC