prosthesis

[ pros-thee-sis pros-thuh-sis ]

noun

, plural pros·the·ses [pros-, thee, -seez, pros, -th, uh, -seez].

1. a device, either external or implanted, that substitutes for or supplements a missing or defective part of the body.
2. Grammar, Prosody. the addition of one or more sounds or syllables to a word or line of verse, especially at the beginning.

prosthesis

/ ˈprɒsθɪsɪs; prɒsˈθiːsɪs; prɒsˈθɛtɪk /

noun

1. surgery
   1. the replacement of a missing bodily part with an artificial substitute
   2. an artificial part such as a limb, eye, or tooth
2. linguistics another word for prothesis

prosthesis

/ prŏs-thē′sĭs /

, Plural prostheses prŏs-thē′sēz

1. An artificial device used to replace a missing or defective body part, such as a limb or a heart valve.

Derived Forms

• prosthetic, adjective
• prosˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• pros·thet·ic [pros-, thet, -ik], adjective
• pros·theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosthesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosthesis¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek: an addition, from prostithenai to add, from pros- towards + tithenai to place

Example Sentences

However, he is unable to compete at the Olympics because it was ruled that jumping off his prosthesis gives him an advantage over non-amputees.

From BBC

“When I didn't have prostheses, I had to move around in a wheelchair. I discovered how inaccessible and unsuited Kyiv was for wheelchair users, even though it’s the capital city,” he says.

From BBC

However, an open scientific question is whether humans can embody bionic tools or prostheses that don't resemble human anatomy.

From Science Daily

However, despite many years of research, this type of prosthesis is not widely used because it leads to rapid muscle fatigue and poor control.

From Science Daily

The prostheses can also be given the ability to handle objects with the same dexterity as a human hand.

From Science Daily