prosthesis
[ pros-thee-sis for 1; pros-thuh-sis for 2 ]
/ prɒsˈθi sɪs for 1; ˈprɒs θə sɪs for 2 /
Save This Word!
noun, plural pros·the·ses [pros-thee-seez for 1; pros-thuh-seez for 2 ]. /prɒsˈθi siz for 1; ˈprɒs θəˌsiz for 2 /.
a device, either external or implanted, that substitutes for or supplements a missing or defective part of the body.
Grammar, Prosody. the addition of one or more sounds or syllables to a word or line of verse, especially at the beginning.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of prosthesis
1545–55; <Late Latin <Greek prósthesis a putting to, addition, equivalent to prós to + thésis a placing; see thesis
OTHER WORDS FROM prosthesis
pros·thet·ic [pros-thet-ik], /prɒsˈθɛt ɪk/, adjectivepros·thet·i·cal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for prosthesis
prosthesis
/ (ˈprɒsθɪsɪs, prɒsˈθiːsɪs) /
noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
surgery
- the replacement of a missing bodily part with an artificial substitute
- an artificial part such as a limb, eye, or tooth
linguistics another word for prothesis
Derived forms of prosthesis
prosthetic (prɒsˈθɛtɪk), adjectiveprosthetically, adverbWord Origin for prosthesis
C16: via Late Latin from Greek: an addition, from prostithenai to add, from pros- towards + tithenai to place
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for prosthesis
prosthesis
[ prŏs-thē′sĭs ]
Plural prostheses (prŏs-thē′sēz)
An artificial device used to replace a missing or defective body part, such as a limb or a heart valve.
Other words from prosthesis
prosthetic adjective (prŏs-thĕt′ĭk)The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.