Gynecologist
/ˌɡaɪ.nəˈkɑː.lə.dʒɪst/noun
A physician specializing in the female reproductive system.
Did you know?Gynecologist comes from Greek gynē, meaning “woman,” the same root behind a whole family of ancient words tied to sex, birth, and female identity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷenh₂-
“to beget, give birth; woman”
Ancient Greek
Greek
gynē
“woman; wife”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-logos
“study, discourse, account”
19th Century
English
gynecologist
“a physician specializing in diseases of women”
Modern English
English
gynecologist
“a doctor specializing in the female reproductive system”
Explore more surprising origins