vet

[vet]Informal.

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noun

verb (used with object), vet·ted, vet·ting.

to examine or treat in one's capacity as a veterinarian or as a doctor.

to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.: An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.

verb (used without object), vet·ted, vet·ting.

to work as a veterinarian.

Origin of vet

First recorded in 1860–65; short for veterinarian

vet

[vet]

noun, adjective Informal.

veteran.

Origin of vet

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; shortened form

vet.

veteran.

veterinarian.

veterinary.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for vet

efficient, effective, sophisticated, experienced, talented, capable, knowledgeable, proficient, licensed, accomplished, trained, equipped, competent, adequate, disciplined, certified, wise, skillful, qualified, hardened

Examples from the Web for vet

Contemporary Examples of vet

It was like witnessing the last two weeks of the life of a blind and toothless dog you knew the vet was just itching to destroy.
Dems, It’s Time to Dump Dixie
Michael Tomasky
December 8, 2014
Instead, the time has been spent setting up a system to vet potential recruits.
U.S. Hasn’t Even Started Training Rebel Army to Fight ISIS
Tim Mak
November 25, 2014
Imagine being an Iraq vet who lost friends securing a place such as Fallujah only to see ISIS now seize it.
It’s Time for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans to Get a Parade of Their Own
Michael Daly
November 11, 2014
I was taken into one by Maurice, a gnarled old Vietnam vet in a wooly hat.
Here’s a Reform Even the Koch Brothers and George Soros Can Agree On
Tina Brown
November 10, 2014
But they take their animals to the vet precisely because they care about their animals.
U.K. Courts Grant Mother Right to End Her 12-Year-Old Disabled Daughter’s Life
Elizabeth Picciuto
November 4, 2014

Historical Examples of vet

This would be an ideal condition, but it has not, as vet been reached.
Flying Machines
W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
The Vet says the horse has laminitis in his off fore foot, but it's all my eye.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 19, 1916
Various
You see Chifney's as good as any vet, and I had to have somebody.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady
Lucas Malet
Better take her to the stables, James, and send off for a vet.
Flaming June
Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
"You wouldn't say that if you'd seen some of the Johnnies who passed the Vet with me," he replied.
In Brief Authority
F. Anstey

British Dictionary definitions for vet

vet

noun

short for veterinary surgeon

verb vets, vetting or vetted

(tr) mainly British to make a prior examination and critical appraisal of (a person, document, scheme, etc)the candidates were well vetted See also positive vetting

to examine, treat, or cure (an animal)

vet

noun

US and Canadian short for veteran (def. 2), veteran (def. 3)

vet.

abbreviation for

veteran

veterinarian

veterinary

Also (for senses 2, 3): veter

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 vet

n.1

1862, shortened form of veterinarian.

n.2

1848, shortened form of veteran.

"to submit (an animal) to veterinary care," 1891, from veterinarian. The colloquial sense of "subject to careful examination" (as of an animal by a veterinarian, especially of a horse before a race) is first attested 1904, in Kipling. Related: Vetted; vetting.