Should I use “prosthetics” or “prostheses” for a plural noun?
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Just looking around Google, it appears that "prosthetics" as a plural noun is used in non-technical marketing literature, while "prostheses" is used in technical journals. Is there any difference in meaning?
I already know that "prosthetic" is supposed to be an adjective, but I see it used often as a noun. Is that incorrect?
meaning word-choice differences nouns
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
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up vote
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Just looking around Google, it appears that "prosthetics" as a plural noun is used in non-technical marketing literature, while "prostheses" is used in technical journals. Is there any difference in meaning?
I already know that "prosthetic" is supposed to be an adjective, but I see it used often as a noun. Is that incorrect?
meaning word-choice differences nouns
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
What are you using for the singular noun???
– Hot Licks
May 17 '16 at 22:36
sometimes "prosthetic" and sometimes "prosthesis". not consistent.
– John Henckel
May 18 '16 at 15:55
1
Use the plural of the word you would have used the singular of.
– Hot Licks
May 18 '16 at 16:45
Try using a dictionary rather than Google - altho' an online dictionary would be acceptable. If the dictionary doesn't answer the question, then provide the details & explain why.
– TrevorD
May 19 '16 at 23:28
Did you medical dictionary not tell you prostheses describes multiple items and prosthetics describes the science to which they belong?
– Robbie Goodwin
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
Just looking around Google, it appears that "prosthetics" as a plural noun is used in non-technical marketing literature, while "prostheses" is used in technical journals. Is there any difference in meaning?
I already know that "prosthetic" is supposed to be an adjective, but I see it used often as a noun. Is that incorrect?
meaning word-choice differences nouns
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
Just looking around Google, it appears that "prosthetics" as a plural noun is used in non-technical marketing literature, while "prostheses" is used in technical journals. Is there any difference in meaning?
I already know that "prosthetic" is supposed to be an adjective, but I see it used often as a noun. Is that incorrect?
meaning word-choice differences nouns
meaning word-choice differences nouns
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
edited Oct 20 '17 at 19:20
sumelic
44.4k7105206
44.4k7105206
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
asked May 17 '16 at 15:46
John Henckel
13317
13317
What are you using for the singular noun???
– Hot Licks
May 17 '16 at 22:36
sometimes "prosthetic" and sometimes "prosthesis". not consistent.
– John Henckel
May 18 '16 at 15:55
1
Use the plural of the word you would have used the singular of.
– Hot Licks
May 18 '16 at 16:45
Try using a dictionary rather than Google - altho' an online dictionary would be acceptable. If the dictionary doesn't answer the question, then provide the details & explain why.
– TrevorD
May 19 '16 at 23:28
Did you medical dictionary not tell you prostheses describes multiple items and prosthetics describes the science to which they belong?
– Robbie Goodwin
2 days ago
add a comment |
What are you using for the singular noun???
– Hot Licks
May 17 '16 at 22:36
sometimes "prosthetic" and sometimes "prosthesis". not consistent.
– John Henckel
May 18 '16 at 15:55
1
Use the plural of the word you would have used the singular of.
– Hot Licks
May 18 '16 at 16:45
Try using a dictionary rather than Google - altho' an online dictionary would be acceptable. If the dictionary doesn't answer the question, then provide the details & explain why.
– TrevorD
May 19 '16 at 23:28
Did you medical dictionary not tell you prostheses describes multiple items and prosthetics describes the science to which they belong?
– Robbie Goodwin
2 days ago
What are you using for the singular noun???
– Hot Licks
May 17 '16 at 22:36
What are you using for the singular noun???
– Hot Licks
May 17 '16 at 22:36
sometimes "prosthetic" and sometimes "prosthesis". not consistent.
– John Henckel
May 18 '16 at 15:55
sometimes "prosthetic" and sometimes "prosthesis". not consistent.
– John Henckel
May 18 '16 at 15:55
1
1
Use the plural of the word you would have used the singular of.
– Hot Licks
May 18 '16 at 16:45
Use the plural of the word you would have used the singular of.
– Hot Licks
May 18 '16 at 16:45
Try using a dictionary rather than Google - altho' an online dictionary would be acceptable. If the dictionary doesn't answer the question, then provide the details & explain why.
– TrevorD
May 19 '16 at 23:28
Try using a dictionary rather than Google - altho' an online dictionary would be acceptable. If the dictionary doesn't answer the question, then provide the details & explain why.
– TrevorD
May 19 '16 at 23:28
Did you medical dictionary not tell you prostheses describes multiple items and prosthetics describes the science to which they belong?
– Robbie Goodwin
2 days ago
Did you medical dictionary not tell you prostheses describes multiple items and prosthetics describes the science to which they belong?
– Robbie Goodwin
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
I haven't found a distinction between the noun prosthesis and the noun prosthetic, or their plural forms prostheses and prosthetics, when used to mean "artificial body parts." They are synonyms, like dyslexic and dyslectic. Prosthetic(s) is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary with this meaning, with several citations from medical or surgical sources, so I don't see any grounds for considering this usage non-technical or incorrect. Perhaps it could be viewed as an abbreviation of "prosthetic device(s)".
As you've mentioned, these words can also be used in some other ways, and they are not always synonyms in those other senses. Only prosthetic can serve as an adjective. When used as a noun referring to the general field, it seems that prosthetics is used with the suffix -s (analogous to nouns like physics, obstetrics), while prosthesis is used in its singular form (analogous to nouns like synthesis).
Even though they evidently can be used as synonyms, some people do seem to distinguish the meanings of the words; I ran across an example in the following question from the Hinduism Stack Exchange: Artificial Limb Transplant ( Prothesis) in Rig-Veda?
In medicine, a Prosthesis , is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. prosthetics is simply replacement of missing limbs.
I don't know of course what the original poster's background is, but I think this is evidence showing that some people share your impression about the difference between the two words.
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
As someone currently working with prostheses, the professional accepted use is prosthesis is the noun and prosthetic is only used as an adjective. However, colloquially both are understood.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
I haven't found a distinction between the noun prosthesis and the noun prosthetic, or their plural forms prostheses and prosthetics, when used to mean "artificial body parts." They are synonyms, like dyslexic and dyslectic. Prosthetic(s) is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary with this meaning, with several citations from medical or surgical sources, so I don't see any grounds for considering this usage non-technical or incorrect. Perhaps it could be viewed as an abbreviation of "prosthetic device(s)".
As you've mentioned, these words can also be used in some other ways, and they are not always synonyms in those other senses. Only prosthetic can serve as an adjective. When used as a noun referring to the general field, it seems that prosthetics is used with the suffix -s (analogous to nouns like physics, obstetrics), while prosthesis is used in its singular form (analogous to nouns like synthesis).
Even though they evidently can be used as synonyms, some people do seem to distinguish the meanings of the words; I ran across an example in the following question from the Hinduism Stack Exchange: Artificial Limb Transplant ( Prothesis) in Rig-Veda?
In medicine, a Prosthesis , is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. prosthetics is simply replacement of missing limbs.
I don't know of course what the original poster's background is, but I think this is evidence showing that some people share your impression about the difference between the two words.
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
I haven't found a distinction between the noun prosthesis and the noun prosthetic, or their plural forms prostheses and prosthetics, when used to mean "artificial body parts." They are synonyms, like dyslexic and dyslectic. Prosthetic(s) is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary with this meaning, with several citations from medical or surgical sources, so I don't see any grounds for considering this usage non-technical or incorrect. Perhaps it could be viewed as an abbreviation of "prosthetic device(s)".
As you've mentioned, these words can also be used in some other ways, and they are not always synonyms in those other senses. Only prosthetic can serve as an adjective. When used as a noun referring to the general field, it seems that prosthetics is used with the suffix -s (analogous to nouns like physics, obstetrics), while prosthesis is used in its singular form (analogous to nouns like synthesis).
Even though they evidently can be used as synonyms, some people do seem to distinguish the meanings of the words; I ran across an example in the following question from the Hinduism Stack Exchange: Artificial Limb Transplant ( Prothesis) in Rig-Veda?
In medicine, a Prosthesis , is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. prosthetics is simply replacement of missing limbs.
I don't know of course what the original poster's background is, but I think this is evidence showing that some people share your impression about the difference between the two words.
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
I haven't found a distinction between the noun prosthesis and the noun prosthetic, or their plural forms prostheses and prosthetics, when used to mean "artificial body parts." They are synonyms, like dyslexic and dyslectic. Prosthetic(s) is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary with this meaning, with several citations from medical or surgical sources, so I don't see any grounds for considering this usage non-technical or incorrect. Perhaps it could be viewed as an abbreviation of "prosthetic device(s)".
As you've mentioned, these words can also be used in some other ways, and they are not always synonyms in those other senses. Only prosthetic can serve as an adjective. When used as a noun referring to the general field, it seems that prosthetics is used with the suffix -s (analogous to nouns like physics, obstetrics), while prosthesis is used in its singular form (analogous to nouns like synthesis).
Even though they evidently can be used as synonyms, some people do seem to distinguish the meanings of the words; I ran across an example in the following question from the Hinduism Stack Exchange: Artificial Limb Transplant ( Prothesis) in Rig-Veda?
In medicine, a Prosthesis , is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. prosthetics is simply replacement of missing limbs.
I don't know of course what the original poster's background is, but I think this is evidence showing that some people share your impression about the difference between the two words.
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
I haven't found a distinction between the noun prosthesis and the noun prosthetic, or their plural forms prostheses and prosthetics, when used to mean "artificial body parts." They are synonyms, like dyslexic and dyslectic. Prosthetic(s) is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary with this meaning, with several citations from medical or surgical sources, so I don't see any grounds for considering this usage non-technical or incorrect. Perhaps it could be viewed as an abbreviation of "prosthetic device(s)".
As you've mentioned, these words can also be used in some other ways, and they are not always synonyms in those other senses. Only prosthetic can serve as an adjective. When used as a noun referring to the general field, it seems that prosthetics is used with the suffix -s (analogous to nouns like physics, obstetrics), while prosthesis is used in its singular form (analogous to nouns like synthesis).
Even though they evidently can be used as synonyms, some people do seem to distinguish the meanings of the words; I ran across an example in the following question from the Hinduism Stack Exchange: Artificial Limb Transplant ( Prothesis) in Rig-Veda?
In medicine, a Prosthesis , is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. prosthetics is simply replacement of missing limbs.
I don't know of course what the original poster's background is, but I think this is evidence showing that some people share your impression about the difference between the two words.
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
edited Oct 20 '17 at 16:52
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
answered May 21 '16 at 2:57
sumelic
44.4k7105206
44.4k7105206
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
As someone currently working with prostheses, the professional accepted use is prosthesis is the noun and prosthetic is only used as an adjective. However, colloquially both are understood.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
As someone currently working with prostheses, the professional accepted use is prosthesis is the noun and prosthetic is only used as an adjective. However, colloquially both are understood.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
As someone currently working with prostheses, the professional accepted use is prosthesis is the noun and prosthetic is only used as an adjective. However, colloquially both are understood.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
As someone currently working with prostheses, the professional accepted use is prosthesis is the noun and prosthetic is only used as an adjective. However, colloquially both are understood.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
answered 2 days ago
Alexus Jones
111
111
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Alexus Jones is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
The language is probably changing as fast as the sophistication of the devices these days.
– Wayfaring Stranger
2 days ago
add a comment |
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What are you using for the singular noun???
– Hot Licks
May 17 '16 at 22:36
sometimes "prosthetic" and sometimes "prosthesis". not consistent.
– John Henckel
May 18 '16 at 15:55
1
Use the plural of the word you would have used the singular of.
– Hot Licks
May 18 '16 at 16:45
Try using a dictionary rather than Google - altho' an online dictionary would be acceptable. If the dictionary doesn't answer the question, then provide the details & explain why.
– TrevorD
May 19 '16 at 23:28
Did you medical dictionary not tell you prostheses describes multiple items and prosthetics describes the science to which they belong?
– Robbie Goodwin
2 days ago