n. pl. aph·e·ses (-sēz′) The loss of an initial, usually unstressed vowel from a word, as in cute from acute. [Greek, a release, from aphīenai, aphe-, to let go : apo-, apo- + hīenai, to send; see DIESIS.] a·phetic (ə-fĕtĭk) adj. a·pheti·cal·ly adv. |
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