prothesis

[ proth-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural proth·e·ses [proth, -, uh, -seez]

1. the addition of a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word, as in Spanish escala “ladder” from Latin scala.
2. Eastern Church.
   1. Also called proskomide. the preparation and preliminary oblation of the Eucharistic elements.
   2. the table on which this is done.
   3. the part of the sanctuary or bema where this table stands.
3. (often initial capital letter) Greek Antiquity. a representation of a dead person lying in state.

prothesis

/ ˈprɒθɪsɪs; prəˈθɛtɪk /

noun

1. a process in the development of a language by which a phoneme or syllable is prefixed to a word to facilitate pronunciation

   Latin ``scala'' gives Spanish ``escala'' by prothesis

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

Derived Forms

• prothetic, adjective
• proˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·thet·ic [pr, uh, -, thet, -ik], adjective
• pro·theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prothesis¹

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

Example Sentences

The chief executive of the centre, Olga Rudnieva, wants to support the thousands who have lost limbs in the conflict by using a personalised approach to body reconstruction and limb prothesis.

From BBC

He will also be carrying a prothesis so he can travel very short distances when he is not on his bike, although this causes him pain.

From BBC

Hall, who had lost a leg in a hunting accident, had a prothesis she called Cuthbert.

From Washington Post

“They won’t address my legs and they won’t do prothesis on them and they not paying me for loss of limb.”

From Fox News

Exaucé is likely to outgrow his prothesis every six months, which means they will have to visit the Anrac many times during the rest of his childhood.

From The Guardian