A*pher"e*sis [L. aphaeresis, Gr. , fr. to take away; + to take.]
1. Gram.
The dropping of a letter or syllable from the beginning of a word; e. g., cute for acute.
2. Surg.
An operation by which any part is separated from the rest.
[Obs.]
Dunglison.
© Webster 1913.