paramedic
|par-a-med-ic|
B2
/ˌpærəˈmɛdɪk/
emergency medical helper
Etymology
Etymology Information
'paramedic' originates from English, formed from the prefix 'para-' meaning 'beside' or 'alongside' and 'medic' meaning 'medical professional'.
Historical Evolution
'paramedic' was coined in the 20th century in English to describe medical personnel who work alongside doctors, especially in emergency situations.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any medical assistant, but over time it evolved to specifically mean emergency medical personnel trained to provide pre-hospital care.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/07/31 00:01