orthopaedist
|or-tho-pae-dist|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔrθəˈpiːdɪst/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːθəˈpiːdɪst/
doctor for bones and joints
Etymology
'orthopaedist' is formed in English from 'orthopaedic' + the agent suffix '-ist'; 'orthopaedic' ultimately comes from Greek 'orthos' meaning 'straight' and 'paid-' (from 'paideia') meaning 'child-rearing' or 'education', reflecting the original sense of correcting deformities in children.
'orthopaedia' (Modern Latin/French 'orthopédie', coined by Nicolas Andry in 1741) entered English as 'orthopaedic' (18th century); the agent noun 'orthopaedist' developed later in English to mean a practitioner in that field. American spellings later produced 'orthopedic' and 'orthopedist'.
Initially the root idea focused on correcting deformities in children ('to make straight for children'); over time it broadened to denote the medical specialty concerned with the musculoskeletal system in patients of all ages, and thus 'orthopaedist' came to mean a specialist (often a surgeon) in that field.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders, injuries, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles).
She made an appointment with an orthopaedist for her persistent knee pain.
Synonyms
Noun 2
specifically, a surgeon who performs surgical procedures to correct musculoskeletal problems (often called an orthopaedic surgeon).
The orthopaedist recommended surgery to repair the torn tendon.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 16:39