definitions

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

prostatorrhea, prostatotomy, prostatovesiculectomy, prostatovesiculitis, prosternum, prosthesis, prosthetic, prosthetic dentistry, prosthetic group, prosthetics, prosthetist

Origin of prosthesis

1545–55; < Late Latin < Greek prósthesis a putting to, addition, equivalent to prós to + thésis a placing; see thesis

Related forms

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. 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 Forms

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

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 forms

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