Langimage
English

pro-physician

|pro-phy-si-cian|

B2

🇺🇸

/proʊfɪˈzɪʃən/

🇬🇧

/prəʊfɪˈzɪʃən/

for doctors / supporting physicians

Etymology
Etymology Information

'pro-physician' is formed from the prefix 'pro-' (originating in Latin 'pro') meaning 'for' and the word 'physician' (from Old French 'fisicien' ultimately from Greek roots), so literally 'for the physician'.

Historical Evolution

'physician' comes into English via Old French 'fisicien' from Latin/Greek roots (Latin 'physica' / Greek 'phusikos' from 'phusis' meaning 'nature'); the modern compound 'pro-physician' is a recent English formation that combines the prefix 'pro-' with 'physician' to denote support for doctors.

Meaning Changes

The parts 'pro-' and 'physician' originally meant 'for' and 'doctor/healer' respectively; combined recently to form the compound meaning 'in favor of physicians' or 'supportive of physicians'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a person or group that supports physicians or advocates for physicians' interests.

Many activists labeled the lobbying group as a pro-physician organization.

Synonyms

physician advocatepro-doctor groupphysician-supporter

Antonyms

Adjective 1

favorable to physicians; showing support for doctors or their professional interests.

The hospital's new policy was criticized as being overly pro-physician.

Synonyms

pro-doctorphysician-friendlydoctor-supporting

Antonyms

anti-physicianpatient-centered (in contrast)doctor-hostile

Last updated: 2025/11/14 01:17