veterinary

English

Etymology

From Latin veterīnārius, from veterīnus and veterīnae (cattle;"beasts of burden/of draught"); compare with veterinarian.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈvɛtɪnɹi/, /ˈvɛtɹɪnɹi/, /vɛtɪnɛɹi/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈvɛtəɹɪnɛɹi/, /ˈvɛtɹɪnɛɹi/, /ˈvɛtɪnɛɹi/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Adjective

veterinary (comparative more veterinary, superlative most veterinary)

  1. Of or relating to the medical or surgical treatment of non-human animals, especially domestic and farm animals.
    Max used all his veterinary knowledge to save the goose stuck in the fence.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

veterinary (plural veterinaries)

  1. A veterinary surgeon; a veterinarian.
    • 1905, Frances Simpson, Cats for Pleasure and Profit, page 77:
      Mr. Ward may rightly be considered the wizard of the north, for he was the pioneer of "practical pussyology" apart from the regular qualified veterinary who may look with a kind and pitying eye on cats' ailments and infirmities []

Translations