veterinary

[ vet-er-uh-ner-ee, ve-truh- ]

/ ˈvɛt ər əˌnɛr i, ˈvɛ trə- /

noun, plural vet·er·i·nar·ies.

a veterinarian.

adjective

of or relating to the medical and surgical treatment of animals, especially domesticated animals.

Nearby words

Origin of veterinary

1780–90; < Latin veterīnārius, equivalent to veterīn(ae) beasts of burden (noun use of feminine plural of veterīnus pertaining to such beasts, equivalent to veter-, stem of vetus old, i.e., grown, able to take a load + -īnus -ine¹) + -ārius -ary

Related formsnon·vet·er·i·nar·y, adjective, noun, plural non·vet·er·i·nar·ies.

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

Examples from the Web for veterinary

Animals were often left in the back "sick room" with little if any veterinary care.
13 Revelations From Reddit’s ‘Dirty Little Secret’ Thread Exposing Alleged Industry Secrets|Nina Strochlic|August 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
My next book project goes back to my lifelong interests in animals, veterinary medicine, science, and ethics.
Rebecca Skloot: How I Write|Noah Charney|March 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They stormed into law, medical, and veterinary schools, and female undergraduate enrollment surged.
The Truth About Title IX|Karen Blumenthal|June 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
What impact are veterinary clinics really having on the hardcore hangers on within Abu Sayyaf?
Terror in the Jungle|Eliza Griswold|October 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST

And veterinary medicine has also undergone an especially revolution in the modern pet era.
Dogs—So Like Us|Michael Schaffer|March 31, 2009|DAILY BEAST
He was said to be the son of a veterinary surgeon of Amiens, and at forty-five had already produced twenty masterpieces.
A Zola Dictionary|J. G. Patterson
Immediately on commencing work, however, the same symptoms as before assert themselves, and the veterinary surgeon is called in.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot|Harry Caulton Reeks
Tight bandages are permissible only when applied by a skilled groom, or under the orders of a veterinary surgeon.
Riding and Driving|Edward L. Anderson
James was a veterinary surgeon who had come to this country before the war of 1812 to practice his profession.
James Fenimore Cooper|Thomas R. Lounsbury
In the latter case, the veterinary surgeon must not be content with confining his paring operations to one spot.
Diseases of the Horse's Foot|Harry Caulton Reeks

British Dictionary definitions for veterinary

veterinary

/ (ˈvɛtərɪnərɪ, ˈvɛtrɪnrɪ) /

adjective

of or relating to veterinary medicine

Word Origin for veterinary

C18: from Latin veterīnārius concerning draught animals, from veterīnae draught animals; related to vetus mature (hence able to bear a burden)

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 veterinary

veterinary

adj.

1791, from Latin veterinarius, from veterinus (see veterinarian).

Medicine definitions for veterinary

veterinary

[ vĕt′ər-ə-nĕr′ē, vĕt′rə- ]

adj.

Of or relating to veterinary medicine.

n.

A veterinarian.