-iatrics

American  

1. 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.

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-iatrics British  

combining form

1. indicating medical care or treatment Compare -iatry

   paediatrics

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of -iatrics

-iatr(y) + -ics