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-iatrics
- a combining form occurring in compound words that have the general sense “healing, medical practice,” with the initial element usually denoting the type of person treated:
geriatrics; pediatrics.
-iatrics
Word History and Origins
Origin of -iatrics1
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Words That Use -Iatrics
What does -iatrics mean?
The combining form -iatrics is used like a suffix meaning “healing, medical practice.” It is used to name types of medical treatments or branches of medicine.
The combining form -iatrics ultimately comes from the Greek iātrikós, meaning “of healing,” from iātrós, “healer.” The Greek iatro-, source of iatro-, is a corresponding form of -iatric combined to the beginning of words.
The form -iatrics is specifically composed of -iatry, as in psychiatry, which is closely related in use to -ics, denoting a particular science, art, subject, or activity.
The combining form -iatric is used as an adjective form of nouns ending in -iatrics. A pediatric surgeon is a type of specialist in pediatrics, for instance.
Learn about their specific applications in our Words That Use articles for the forms.
Examples of -iatrics
One term you may have come across that features the combining form -iatrics is geriatrics, “the branch of medicine dealing with the diseases, debilities, and the care of aged people.”
The first part of the word, ger-, comes from the Greek gérōn, meaning “old man.” The second part of the word, -iatrics, means “healing” and is used to name branches of medicine. Geriatrics, then, has a literal sense of “healing older people”—that is, medical care for older folks.
What are some words that use the combining form -iatrics?
What are some other forms that -iatrics may be commonly confused with?
Break it down!
The combining form ped- has various meanings, including “child.” What is pediatrics?
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