aph·e·sis ( f  -ss)n. pl. aph·e·ses (-s  z ) The loss of an initial, usually unstressed vowel, as in cute from acute. [Greek, a release, from aph  enai, aphe-, to let go : apo-, apo- + henai, to send; see diesis.]a·phet ic ( -f tk) adj.a·phet i·cal·ly adv. |
aphesis [ˈæfɪsɪs]
n
(Linguistics) the gradual disappearance of an unstressed vowel at the beginning of a word, as in squire from esquire
[from Greek, from aphienai to set free, send away]
aphetic [əˈfɛtɪk] adj
aphetically adv
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