A-phær'e-sĭs or A-phēr'e-sis

{Synop., § 130}, n. [Lat. aphæresis, Gr. ἀφαίρεσις, from ἀφαιρεῖν, to take away, from Gr. ἀπό, from, and αἱρεῖν, to take.]

1. (Gram.) The taking of a letter or syllable from the beginning of a word. Thus, by apheresis, omittere is written mittere.
2. (Surg.) The removal of any part diseased; amputation. Parr.