aphesis

1 of 2

noun

aph·​e·​sis ˈa-fə-səs 

plural apheses ˈa-fə-ˌsēz 

: aphaeresis consisting of the loss of a short unaccented vowel (as in lone for alone)

aphetic

ə-ˈfe-tik 

adjective

aphetically

ə-ˈfe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

aphetic

2 of 2

adjective

aphet·​ic ə-ˈfe-tik 

(ˈ)a-¦fe-

: produced by aphesis or aphaeresis

the aphetic form dobe for adobe

aphetically

ə-ˈfe-ti-k(ə-)lē 

(ˈ)a-¦fe-

adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek, release, from aphienai to let go, from apo- + hienai to send — more at jet

Adjective

Greek aphetos let loose (from aphienai) + English -ic

First Known Use

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1880, in the meaning defined above