outpatient
|out-pa-tient|
B2
/ˈaʊtˌpeɪʃənt/
patient treated without admission
Etymology
Etymology Information
'outpatient' is formed from the prefix 'out-' meaning 'outside' and 'patient', referring to someone receiving medical care.
Historical Evolution
The term 'outpatient' was coined in English in the mid-19th century to distinguish patients not admitted to the hospital from those who were (inpatients).
Meaning Changes
Initially, it simply referred to a patient not staying in the hospital, and this meaning has remained consistent.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a patient who receives medical treatment at a hospital or clinic without staying overnight.
The hospital treats hundreds of outpatients every day.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/31 04:33