noun
prosthesis
The addition of a sound at the beginning of a word.
Prosthesis adds an extra sound to the beginning of a word.
Etymology
The Greek components mean placing in addition. Linguistics applies the term specifically to adding a sound at the beginning of an existing word.
More examples
- The initial e in Spanish escuela illustrates prosthesis.
- Prosthesis can make an unfamiliar consonant cluster easier to pronounce.
- Pronouncing “school” as “eschool” is an example of prosthesis.
Forms
prosthesis · prostheses
Similar words
- prothesis
- Names the same process, specifically in discussions of language.
- epenthesis
- Covers inserted sounds anywhere, not just at a word's beginning.