Prosthesis
/prɒsˈθiːsɪs/noun
An artificial replacement for a missing body part.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, prosthesis was also used in grammar and rhetoric for an “addition” to a word or phrase, showing how language itself was treated like something you could attach, shape, and empower.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πρόσθεσις (prósthesis)
“an addition; a placing beside”
Late Latin
Latin
prosthesis
“an addition, especially of a letter or syllable in grammar”
Middle French
French
prosthèse
“an addition; in medicine, an artificial replacement”
16th Century
English
prosthesis
“an addition; later, an artificial replacement for a missing body part”
Modern English
English
prosthesis
“an artificial substitute for a missing body part”
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