aphesis

[ af-uh-sis ]

noun

, Historical Linguistics.

1. the disappearance or loss of an unstressed initial vowel or syllable, as in the formation of the word slant from aslant.

aphesis

/ əˈfɛtɪk; ˈæfɪsɪs /

noun

1. the gradual disappearance of an unstressed vowel at the beginning of a word, as in squire from esquire

Derived Forms

• aphetic, adjective
• aˈphetically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aphesis¹

1880; < Greek áphesis a letting go, equivalent to aphe- (variant stem of aphiénai to let go, set free; ap- ap- ² + hiénai to send) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of aphesis¹

C19: from Greek, from aphienai to set free, send away

Example Sentences

This English tendency to aphesis is satirised in a French song of the 14th century, intentionally written in bad French.

From Project Gutenberg

Aphesis is the loss of the unaccented first syllable, as in 'baccy and 'later.

From Project Gutenberg

But confusion with the article is not necessary in order to bring about aphesis.

From Project Gutenberg