aphesis

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above