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a·phaer·e·sis or a·pher·e·sis  (ə-fĕrĭ-sĭs)
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Tweet n. pl. a·phaer·e·ses (-sēz′) or a·pher·e·ses The loss of one or more sounds from the beginning of a word, as in copter from helicopter. [Late Latin, from Greek aphairesis, from aphairein, to take away : apo-, apo- + hairein, to take.] aph′ae·retic (ăf′ə-rĕtĭk) adj. |
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