Veterinarian
/ˌvɛt.əˈrɪn.i.ən/noun
A person licensed to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease in animals.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin *veterinarius*, originally meaning “of pack animals or beasts of burden,” not from *veteranus* (“old soldier”), even though the two look deceptively similar.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
veterinarius
“of or pertaining to beasts of burden or pack animals”
Latin
Latin
veterinae
“pack animals, draft animals, or cattle”
Late Latin
Latin
veterinarius medicus
“animal healer or veterinary physician”
16th Century
English
veterinary
“relating to the treatment of animals”
18th Century
English
veterinarian
“a person who practices veterinary medicine”
Modern English
English
veterinarian
“an animal doctor”