prosthesis

[ pros-thee-sis for 1; pros-thuh-sis for 2 ]
/ prɒsˈθi sɪs for 1; ˈprɒs θə sɪs for 2 /

noun, plural pros·the·ses [pros-thee-seez for 1; pros-thuh-seez for 2] /prɒsˈθi siz for 1; ˈprɒs θəˌsiz for 2/.

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

Origin of prosthesis

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

OTHER WORDS FROM prosthesis

pros·thet·ic [pros-thet-ik] /prɒsˈθɛt ɪk/, adjective pros·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for prosthesis

prosthesis
/ (ˈprɒsθɪsɪs, prɒsˈθiːsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

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

Derived forms of prosthesis

prosthetic (prɒsˈθɛtɪk), adjective prosthetically, adverb

Word Origin for prosthesis

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

Medical definitions for prosthesis

prosthesis
[ prŏs-thēsĭs ]

n. pl. pros•the•ses (-sēz)

An artificial device used to replace a missing body part, such as a limb or heart valve.
Replacement of a missing body part with such a device.

Scientific definitions for prosthesis

prosthesis
[ prŏs-thēsĭs ]

Plural prostheses (prŏs-thēsēz)

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

Other words from prosthesis

prosthetic adjective (prŏs-thĕtĭk)