epithesis

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐπίθεσις (epíthesis).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɛpɪˈθiːsɪs/
• Rhymes: -iːsɪs

Noun

Examples (linguistics)
whiles → whilst

epithesis (countable and uncountable, plural epitheses)

1. (linguistics) The addition of a letter or sound at the end of a word, without changing its meaning.
   • 1972, Bruce L. Liles, Linguistics and the English Language: A Transformational Approach‎:

     Some linguists distinguish between epenthesis, addition within a word, and epithesis, addition at the end.

2. (medicine) The surgical correction of deformity or of crooked limbs.
3. (medicine) A splint or other appliance to be worn.

Related terms

• epithetic

See also

• epenthesis

References

• “epithesis”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.