prosthesis

[pros-thee-sis for 1; pros-thuh-sis 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.

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

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 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

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.

prostheses in Medicine