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geriatric

 - 6 dictionary results

ger⋅i⋅at⋅ric

[jer-ee-a-trik, jeer-]
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to geriatrics, old age, or aged persons.
–noun
2. Slang. an old person.

Origin:
1925–30; < Gk gér(ōn) old man + -iatric
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ger·i·at·ric   (jěr'ē-āt'rĭk)   
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to geriatrics.

  2. Of or relating to the aged or to characteristics of the aging process.

n.  An aged person.

[Back-formation from geriatrics.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

geriatric 
1909, formed in Eng. from Gk. geras "old age" (from PIE base *gere- "to grow old;" cf. Skt. jarati "makes frail, causes to age") + iatrikos "of a physician," from iatros, related to iasthai "heal, treat," of uncertain origin. Geriatrics was coined 1909 by Ignatz L. Nascher (1863-1944) in "New York Medical Journal" on the model of pediatrics. The correct formation would be gerontiatrics.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1ge·ri·at·ric
Pronunciation: "jer-E-'a-trik, "jir-
Function: noun
1 ge·ri·at·rics plural but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and aging people —compare GERONTOLOGY
2 : an aged person

Main Entry: 2geriatric
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to geriatrics or its practice geriatric department in a hospital> geriatric ward>
2 : of, relating to, affecting, or being aged individuals geriatric population in a nursing home> <geriatric depression>geriatric animals>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

geriatric ger·i·at·ric (jěr'ē-āt'rĭk)
adj.

  1. Of or relating to geriatrics.

  2. Of or relating to old age or to the aging process.

n.
An old person.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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