doctor
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1doc·tor
noun \ˈdäk-tər\Definition of DOCTOR
1
a : an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church —called also doctor of the church b : a learned or authoritative teacher c : a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (as a PhD) conferred by a university d : a person awarded an honorary doctorate (as an LLD or Litt D) by a college or university
2
a : a person skilled or specializing in healing arts; especially : one (as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice b : medicine man
3
a : material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect b : a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
4
: a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things
— doc·tor·al \-t(ə-)rəl\ adjective
— doc·tor·less \-tər-ləs\ adjective
— doc·tor·ship \-ˌship\ noun
See Examples of DOCTOR
- He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
- She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
- I saw her at the doctor's last week.
- How long will you be at the doctor?
- Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
- Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?
Origin of DOCTOR
Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to DOCTOR
Other Medicine Terms
Rhymes with DOCTOR
2doctor
verbdoc·toreddoc·tor·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\
Definition of DOCTOR
transitive verb
1
a : to give medical treatment to b : to restore to good condition : repair <doctor an old clock>
2
a : to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment <doctored the play to suit the audience> <the drink was doctored> b : to alter deceptively <accused of doctoring the election returns>
intransitive verb
1
: to practice medicine
2
dialect : to take medicine
Examples of DOCTOR
- They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
- a doctored photo of the actress
- I think somebody doctored the punch.
- He had time to doctor his wounds.
- She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.
First Known Use of DOCTOR
1712
Related to DOCTOR
- Synonyms
- treat
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