prothesis

[ proth-uh-sis ]

/ ˈprɒθ ə sɪs /

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noun, plural proth·e·ses

[proth-uh-seez] /ˈprɒθ əˌsiz/

the addition of a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word, as in Spanish escala “ladder” from Latin scala.

Eastern Church.

Also called proskomide. the preparation and preliminary oblation of the Eucharistic elements.
the table on which this is done.
the part of the sanctuary or bema where this table stands.

(often initial capital letter)Greek Antiquity. a representation of a dead person lying in state.

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Origin of prothesis

1665–75; <Late Latin <Greek próthesis a putting before. See pro-², thesis

OTHER WORDS FROM prothesis

pro·thet·ic

[pruh-thet-ik], /prəˈθɛt ɪk/, adjectivepro·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby prothesis

Proteus syndrome, prothalamion, prothalamium, prothallium, prothallus, prothesis, prothonotary, prothonotary apostolic, prothonotary warbler, prothoracic gland, prothorax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prothesis in a sentence

They are provided with the most perfect prothesis apparatus, jointed artificial limbs.
Turkish Prisoners in Egypt|Various
It is covered either with a barrel or with a cross-groined vault, and communicates with the prothesis and the diaconicon.
Byzantine Churches in Constantinople|Alexander Van Millingen
The place of the prothesis has been taken by a similar door and a small Turkish dome.
Byzantine Churches in Constantinople|Alexander Van Millingen
The prothesis and diaconicon have barrel vaults and apses with three sides projecting slightly on the exterior.
Byzantine Churches in Constantinople|Alexander Van Millingen

At the east end a door, unsymmetrically placed, leads to the small chapel which was originally the prothesis.
Byzantine Churches in Constantinople|Alexander Van Millingen

British Dictionary definitions for prothesis

prothesis

/ (ˈprɒθɪsɪs) /

noun

a process in the development of a language by which a phoneme or syllable is prefixed to a word to facilitate pronunciationLatin ``scala'' gives Spanish ``escala'' by prothesis

Eastern Orthodox Church the solemn preparation of the Eucharistic elements before consecration

Derived forms of prothesis

prothetic (prəˈθɛtɪk), adjectiveprothetically, adverb

Word Origin for prothesis

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: a setting out in public, from pro- forth + thesis a placing

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