Physician
Pronunciation
Origin
From Middle English fisicien, from Old French fisicïen ("physician"), from fisique ("art of healing"), from Latin physica ("natural science"), from Ancient Greek φυσική á¼Ï€Î¹ÏƒÏ„ήμη ("knowledge of nature"), from φυσικός ("pertaining to nature"). Displaced native Middle English læche, leche, archaic Modern English leech "physician" (from Old English lǣċe ("physician, medical doctor")).
Full definition of physician
Noun
physician
(plural physicians)- A practitioner of physic, i.e. a specialist in internal medicine, especially as opposed to a surgeon; a practitioner who treats with medication rather than with surgery.
- 1907, w, The Younger Set Chapter 2/1, His forefathers had been, as a rule, professional men—physicians and lawyers ; his grandfather died under the walls of Chapultepec Castle while twisting a tourniquet for a cursing dragoon ; … .
- A medical doctor trained in human medicine.
- 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, The doctor had to go to London for a physician to take charge of his practice …
Usage notes
In the UK and countries, a physician holds a postgraduate degree such Master of General Medicine or fellowship certificate such MRCP or FRCP from the Royal College of Physician in UK. In the United States, the term is frequently regulated by State laws, and in all States includes those with the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree, the (M.D.) degree, and in many, but not all States those with the D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) degree.