prothesis

noun

proth·e·sis ˈprä-thə-səs

plural protheses ˈprä-thə-ˌsēz

: the addition of a sound to the beginning of a word (as in Old French estat—whence English estate—from Latin status)

prothetic

prä-ˈthe-tik

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, alteration of prosthesis, from Greek, literally, addition — more at prosthesis

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of prothesis was circa 1550

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protheca

prothesis

prothetelic

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Style

“Prothesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prothesis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

prothesis

noun

proth·e·sis ˈpräth-ə-səs

plural protheses -ˌsēz

: prosthesis

prothetic

prä-ˈthet-ik

adjective

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prothesis

noun

Word History

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