noun

prothesis

Quiz me More like this

Prothesis (noun) means the addition of phonemes to the start of a word without altering its morphological structure, for example the Spanish word esfera, derived via Latin from Greek sphaera (“sphere”); without prothesis it would have become *sfera.

noun

The addition of phonemes to the start of a word without altering its morphological structure, for example the Spanish word esfera, derived via Latin from Greek sphaera (“sphere”); without prothesis it would have become *sfera.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like prothesis.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “prothesis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Etymology

From Late Latin prothesis, prosthesis, alteration (dropping the ‘s’) from Ancient Greek πρόσθεσις (prósthesis, “addition, augmentation”), (English prosthesis) from προστίθημι (prostíthēmi, “to add”), from πρός (prós, “towards”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “to place”), from Proto-Indo-European *próti, *préti + *dʰédʰeh₁- (“to be putting, to be placing”). However, often confused for a descendant of the Ancient Greek word πρόθεσις (próthesis, “a preposing, preposition”) (without the σ (s)), which is instead the source of a different term – see alternative etymology, below.

Rhymes for prothesis

thesis nemesis genesis exegesis diaeresis anamnesis apheresis synthesis antithesis epenthesis hypothesis prosthesis

See all rhymes for prothesis →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of prothesis?

"prothesis" (noun) means the addition of phonemes to the start of a word without altering its morphological structure, for example the Spanish word esfera, derived via Latin from Greek sphaera (“sphere”); without prothesis it would have become *sfera.