prothesis

[ proth-uh-sis ]
/ ˈprɒθ ə sɪs /

noun, plural proth·e·ses [proth-uh-seez] /ˈprɒθ əˌsiz/

the addition of a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word, as in Spanish escala “ladder” from Latin scala.
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.
(often initial capital letter) Greek Antiquity. a representation of a dead person lying in state.

Origin of prothesis

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

OTHER WORDS FROM prothesis

pro·thet·ic [pruh-thet-ik] /prəˈθɛt ɪk/, adjective pro·thet·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby prothesis

proteus vulgaris, prothalamion, prothalamium, prothallium, prothallus, prothesis, prothonotary, prothonotary apostolic, prothonotary warbler, prothoracic gland, prothorax

Example sentences from the Web for prothesis

British Dictionary definitions for prothesis

prothesis
/ (ˈprɒθɪsɪs) /

noun

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

Derived forms of prothesis

prothetic (prəˈθɛtɪk), adjective prothetically, adverb

Word Origin for prothesis

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