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prosthesis

[ pros-thee-sis for 1; pros-thuh-sis for 2 ]
/ prɒsˈθi sɪs for 1; ˈprɒs θə sɪs for 2 /

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.

Nearby words

  1. prostatorrhea,
  2. prostatotomy,
  3. prostatovesiculectomy,
  4. prostatovesiculitis,
  5. prosternum,
  6. prosthetic,
  7. prosthetic dentistry,
  8. prosthetic group,
  9. prosthetics,
  10. prosthetist

Origin of prosthesis

1545–55; < Late Latin < Greek prósthesis a putting to, addition, equivalent to prós to + thésis a placing; see thesis
Related formspros·thet·ic [pros-thet-ik] /prɒsˈθɛt ɪk/, adjectivepros·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for prostheses

prosthesis

/ (ˈprɒsθɪsɪs, prɒsˈθiːsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

surgery
  1. the replacement of a missing bodily part with an artificial substitute
  2. an artificial part such as a limb, eye, or tooth
linguistics another word for prothesis
Derived Formsprosthetic (prɒsˈθɛtɪk), adjectiveprosthetically, adverb

Word 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

Word Origin and History for prostheses

prosthesis

n.

1550s, "addition of a letter or syllable to a word," from Late Latin, from Greek prosthesis "addition," from prostithenai "add to," from pros "to" + tithenai "to put, place" (see theme). Meaning "artificial body part" is first recorded c.1900, from earlier use to describe the medical art of making artificial limbs (1706), on notion of "that which is added to" the injured body.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for prostheses

prosthesis

[ prŏs-thē′sĭs ]

n. pl. pros•the•ses (-sēz)

An artificial device used to replace a missing body part, such as a limb or heart valve.
Replacement of a missing body part with such a device.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for prostheses

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.
Related formsprosthetic adjective (prŏs-thĕt′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.