pediatric
pee-dee-AT-rik
/ˌpiːdiˈætrɪk/
Relating to the branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases.
Pediatric is strictly a medical descriptor for care, equipment, or research dedicated to infants, children, and adolescents.
The story behind the word. Pediatric was coined in the late 19th century from two Greek roots: 'pais' (meaning 'child') and 'iatros' (meaning 'healer' or 'physician'). It literally translates to 'child-healer.' The spelling in British English retains the 'ae' (paediatric), reflecting its classical Greek heritage.
Word relationships
- pediatrical: Pediatrical is an older, rarely used variant of pediatric; pediatric is the standard modern medical term.
- geriatric: Geriatric refers to the branch of medicine dealing with the health and care of old people, the exact opposite age demographic.
Commonly confused with
- pedestrian: Pedestrian means a person walking on a road, or something dull/commonplace, sharing no medical connection with pediatric.
Word family
- pediatrician (noun): A medical practitioner specializing in children and their diseases.
- pediatrics (noun): The branch of medicine dealing with children.
Collocations
- pediatric medicine
- pediatric clinic
- pediatric dentist
- pediatric care
Example sentences
- "After completing her residency, she decided to specialize in pediatric oncology to help children battling cancer." Discussing a specialized hospital ward.
- "The clinic recently hired a new pediatric nurse practitioner who is wonderful with nervous toddlers." A parent seeking medical advice.
Memory hook
A pediatric doctor helps 'pedal' kids back to health. Pediatric is for child healing.
When not to use
Do not use pediatric to describe general parenting activities or non-medical child products (like toys or clothes).
Fun facts
- Abraham Jacobi is known as the 'father of American pediatrics' because he opened the first clinic for children's diseases in New York in 1860.
Explore more words
Pediatrics, Neonatal, congenital, geriatric, orthopedics, dermatology
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