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geriatrics

[jer-ee-a-triks, jeer-]
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noun (used with a singular verb)
  1. the branch of medicine dealing with the diseases, debilities, and care of aged persons.
  2. the study of the physical processes and problems of aging; gerontology.
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Origin of geriatrics

First recorded in 1905–10; see origin at geriatric, -ics
Related formsger·i·a·tri·cian [jer-ee-uh-trish-uh n] /ˌdʒɛr i əˈtrɪʃ ən/, ger·i·at·rist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for geriatrician

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • On her sleeve she wore the badge of geriatrician, with the motto, "To Care for the Aged."

    Life Sentence

    James McConnell

British Dictionary definitions for geriatrician

geriatrician

geriatrist (ˌdʒɛrɪˈætrɪst)

noun
  1. a physician who specializes in geriatric medicine
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geriatrics

noun
  1. (functioning as singular) the branch of medical science concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting older peopleCompare gerontology
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usage

The term geriatric medicine is often used nowadays in preference to geriatrics
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for geriatrician

geriatrics

n.

coined 1909 by Austrian-born doctor Ignatz L. Nascher (1863-1944) in "New York Medical Journal" on the model of pediatrics (cf. -ics), from the same elements found in geriatric (q.v.). The correct formation would be gerontiatrics.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
geriatrician in Medicine

geriatrics

(jĕr′ē-ăt′rĭks)
n.
  1. The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and problems specific to old age.
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Related formsger′i•a•tric′ian (jĕr′ē-ə-trĭsh′ən) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
geriatrician in Science

geriatrics

[jĕr′ē-ăt′rĭks]
  1. The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the elderly.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.