orthopaedic
|or-tho-pae-dic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔrθəˈpiːdɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːθəˈpiːdɪk/
make straight (bones)
Etymology
'orthopaedic' originates from New Latin 'orthopaedia', ultimately from Greek, specifically the words 'orthos' and 'paideia', where 'orthos' meant 'straight' and 'paideia' meant 'rearing (of children)'.
'orthopaedia' (New Latin) came into French as 'orthopédie' and then into English as 'orthopaedic' in the late 18th century (coined in contexts of correcting childhood deformities), with variant US spelling 'orthopedic' developing later.
Initially, it meant 'correcting or preventing deformities in children' (literally 'straightening children'), but over time it evolved into the broader modern meaning of 'relating to correction of deformities or disorders of the musculoskeletal system'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the medical specialty or department dealing with the correction of deformities or disorders of the musculoskeletal system (often used as a mass noun: 'orthopaedics' or 'orthopedics').
She is studying orthopaedics at university.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to orthopaedics — the branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of deformities, disorders, or injuries of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
An orthopaedic clinic treated her knee injury.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 17:01