aphesis \AF-uh-sis\,
noun:
Historical Linguistics. the disappearance or loss of an unstressed initial vowel or syllable, as in the formation of the word slant from aslant.
In particular, phrases forming a solid continuous unit and having only one main stress can become subjected to aphesis and other phonetic changes.
-- Mikko Luukko, "Grammatical Variation in Neo-Assyrian," 2004
In other cases we witness aphaeresis, or rather aphesis, the loss of initial segments in the MAGY words…
-- György Busztin, "The Legacy of the Barang People," 2006
Aphesis is derived from the Greek word of the same spelling meaning "a letting go."
Dictionary.com
