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Where does the word "veterinarian" come from? It comes from Latin veterinae, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).
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Where does the word "veterinarian" come from? It comes from Latin veterinae, and was adopted directly into English (1640s).
Veterinarian’s story begins in Latin: veterinae meant “relating to draft animals.” Relating to beasts of burden, cattle. It reached English by 1640s as veterinarian. Settled as the English word for a doctor specializing in animal medicine. Today, veterinarian means a doctor qualified to treat diseases and injuries in animals.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient veterinae "relating to draft animals", relating to beasts of burden, cattle.
- Stage 2 · English · 1640s veterinarian "a doctor specializing in animal medicine", settled as the English word for a doctor specializing in animal medicine.