Geriatrics
/ˌdʒɛr.iˈæt.rɪks/noun
The branch of medicine concerned with the health and medical care of older adults.
Did you know?The term was coined in the early twentieth century by combining Greek gēras, meaning “old age,” with iatrikos, meaning “medical” or “healing.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵerh₂-
“To grow old or mature; the reconstructed root associated with Greek terms for old age.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γῆρας (gēras)
“Old age; advanced age.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰατρικός (iatrikos)
“Medical; relating to healing or physicians.”
1909
English
geriatrics
“A newly coined medical term for the study and treatment of diseases associated with old age.”
Modern English
English
geriatrics
“The medical specialty focused on older adults and the conditions associated with aging.”
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