Orthopedics
/ˌɔːrθəˈpiːdɪks/noun
The branch of medicine concerned with the correction of deformities or disorders of the bones and muscles.
Did you know?The word was coined in 1741 by French physician Nicolas Andry, who used the image of training a growing tree trunk to symbolize correcting children’s bodies before they “crystallized” into deformity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃reǵ-
“to straighten, to make right”
Ancient Greek
Greek
orthós (ὀρθός)
“straight, upright, correct”
Ancient Greek
Greek
país / paidós (παῖς / παιδός)
“child”
1741
French
orthopédie
“the correction of deformities in children”
Modern English
English
orthopedics
“the medical specialty dealing with bones, joints, and related structures”
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