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prosthesis

[ pros-thee-sis for 1; pros-thuh-sis for 2 ]
/ prɒsˈθi sɪs for 1; ˈprɒs θə sɪs for 2 /
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See synonyms for prosthesis on Thesaurus.com
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.
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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, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

British Dictionary definitions for prosthesis

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 forms of prosthesis

prosthetic (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

Medical definitions for prosthesis

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.

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.
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