aphesis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The loss of the initial unstressed vowel of a word.

Pronunciation

/ˈæ.fə.sɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-aphesis.wav

Word forms

aphesis apheses

Etymology

Attested since 1880. Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ἄφεσις (áphesis, “letting go”), from ἀφίημι (aphíēmi), from ἀπο- (apo-, “off”) + ἵημι (híēmi, “send forth”).

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