Prostheses is the plural of prosthesis, meaning artificial devices that replace missing body parts or support damaged functions. Linguistically, the term refers to multiple implanted or external devices designed to restore form or function, especially in medicine. It is used across medical, technical, and professional contexts to describe these devices collectively.
"The clinic offers several prostheses for lower-limb amputation patients."
"Researchers are developing lighter, more durable prostheses for everyday use."
"The surgeon evaluated the fit of multiple prostheses before final selection."
"Advances in materials are improving the comfort and functionality of prostheses."
Prostheses derives from the Greek prosthesis, from prostithenai meaning to place in front, to add, or to set up. The word is rooted in prost-, meaning forward, in addition to the verb tithenai to set or place. The plural form prostheses follows the Greek pattern, substituting -sis with -ses, akin to other medical terms like therapies/therapies. The first known use in English dates to the late 19th century, aligning with the rise of modern medicine and prosthetic clinics. As medical science advanced, the term broadened from describing a single device to the category of devices used to restore form and function across limbs, organs, and external supports. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the word acquired global usage in clinical, research, and manufacturing contexts. The plural form prostheses stands in contrast to prosthetics as a field and to prosthetic devices themselves, with the latter often used as a broader umbrella term in contemporary discourse.
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Words that rhyme with "Prostheses"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Prostheses is pronounced proh-STHEE-seez, with stress on the second syllable. IPA US: ˈprɒsˌθiːˌsiːz; UK: ˈprɒsˌθiːˌsiːz; AU: ˈprɒsˌθiːˌsiːz. Break it as pros-the-ses, with the /θ/ as in think and final /siːz/ rhyming with bees. You’ll notice a light secondary stress on the third syllable due to the multi-syllable medical term pattern. Reference audio can be found on medical dictionaries and dictionary sites for verification.
Common mistakes include flattening the /θ/ to /t/ or /f/ and misplacing the stress, saying pro-STHEE-ziz or PROS-thee-seez. The correct sequence is pro + sTHE + ses, with the /θ/ voiced as the unvoiced dental fricative and the second syllable carrying primary stress. Practice by isolating /θiː/ and then linking to /siːz/ to avoid running the sounds together. Recording yourself helps fix these errors faster.
In US, UK, and AU, the core pronunciation /ˈprɒsˌθiːˌsiːz/ remains, but vowel qualities differ. US tends to a flatter /ɒ/ toward /ɑ/ in stressed syllables; UK maintains a more rounded /ɒ/ and crisp dental /θ/. AU commonly mirrors UK but with subtle vowel shifting in connected speech. The /θ/ remains a voiceless dental fricative across all three. Listen for rhoticity and vowel length differences in rapid speech.
The difficulty comes from the cluster /sθ/ where you blend a sibilant with the dental fricative /θ/. The sequence /θiː/ requires precise tongue placement behind the upper teeth and a long high front vowel. Additionally, the plural ending /-iːz/ contrasts with the singular /-iːs/ in related terms. Mastery involves clean /θ/ articulation, correct syllable stress, and accurate linking between /ˌɒs/ and /θiː/.
The final -ses in prostheses is pronounced /siːz/, not /səs/ or /zɪz/. Many learners mispronounce it as /ˌprɒstɪˈsiːz/ or hesitate before the /siːz/. The key is to keep /θ/ clean, then glide into a long /iː/ before the final /z/ sound. Focus on the transition from /θiː/ to /siːz/ with steady airflow and clear voicing on /z/.
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