geriatric

1 of 2

noun

ge·ri·at·ric ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce geriatric (audio)

ˌjir-

geriatrics ˌjer-ē-ˈa-triks How to pronounce geriatric (audio)

ˌjir-

plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging people

An old family member is often the inspiration for medical students who choose geriatrics.

Katie Hafner

compare gerontology

: an aged person

To put it mildly, the geriatrics of the entertainment industry didn't see this coming.

John Perry Barlow

geriatric

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to geriatrics or the process of aging

: of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly people

the geriatric set

: old, elderly

a geriatric dachshund

: old and outmoded

geriatric airplanes

Did you know?

Since most medical care is devoted to those over 65, geriatrics, the medical treatment of the elderly, is a highly important specialty. The specific problems of the elderly include physical inactivity and instability, which result from weakness and loss of energy. Weakness of the eyes and ears plays a role, and weakening of the immune system often leads to more disease. All these conditions can be made worse by mental problems, such as declining intellectual activity, declining memory, and depression, which may prevent the patient from taking action to improve his or her condition. But the effects of aging can be greatly relieved by proper care. And the greatest improvement often results when the patient is persuaded to become more physically, mentally, and socially active.

Example Sentences

Noun most of the clinic's outpatients are geriatrics living on fixed incomes Adjective children who think that anyone over the age of 40 is geriatric went into nursing to work with geriatric patients

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The geriatric among us were already working (or trying to) when the Great Recession hit.

Sara Rathner Nerdwallet, Star Tribune, 10 July 2021 The first real-world BCI boom is expected in VR gaming headsets, with future applications to support the escalating geriatric and Alzheimer’s populations look promising.

Frank Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 It's just become a sport for the geriatric and anyone with a few million followers on social media who can throw a punch.

Tim Dahlberg, Star Tribune, 30 Mar. 2021 Some states in America, including Alabama, California and Georgia, have geriatric-release laws.

The Economist, 7 Sep. 2020 Like many nursing programs around the country seeking to address the shortage of nursing personnel able to care for the growing senior population, the nursing school at St. Thomas has added a clinical experience in geriatrics into their program.

Alice Adams, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2018 Now Gove’s remark became the source of the ashen taste in the mouths of Remoaner metropolitan elites bewailing how provincial troglodytes, geriatrics, and Little Englanders had dashed their rationalist, internationalist dreams.

Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 Apr. 2020 There are sweatshirt-wearing college students, cantankerous geriatrics, bedraggled parents of toddlers, hipsters with multiple facial piercings and purple-haired 20-somethings of indeterminate gender.

Barton Swaim, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2020 Yet geriatrics is badly scanted in standard medical training.

Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2020

Adjective

The findings did not surprise the researchers – rather, they were shocked, said Laura Baker, an author of the study and professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 Many geriatric, ill, and injured civilians could not navigate the walkway at all.

Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 Devices and therapies ready to head to human trials can seek volunteers among a large pool of Hopkins geriatric patients.

Meredith Cohn, Washington Post, 18 May 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne.

Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 Leah O’Rourke, a 31-year-old physical therapist for older adults, posts geriatric care advice on her Instagram account, Love to Care For.

Wired, 15 July 2022 As geriatric politicians have blocked climate action at the national level, younger generations—here meaning virtually anyone younger than 50—have turned to corporate climate action as a salve.

Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne.

New York Times, 13 July 2022 Tickets to the event range from $25 to $250 and all proceeds benefit Mt. Sinai’s Martha Stewart Centers for Living, which offer primary care for geriatric patients.

Olivia Hosken, Town & Country, 18 Apr. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

geriatrics from Greek gḗras "old age" + -iatrics; gḗras going back to a lengthened grade ablaut derivative of an Indo-European verbal base *ǵerh₂- "become old, ripen," whence also, with varying ablaut and suffixation, Greek géras "gift of honor," geraiós "old," Old Church Slavic sŭzĭrějǫ, sŭzĭrěti "to ripen, mature," Armenian cer "old man, old," Sanskrit járati "(s/he) makes old, ages, decays," jaraṇáḥ "old, decayed," jarā́ "old age," Avestan zarəta- "old," azarəšant- "unaging," Persian zar "old man," zāl "(of persons) old"

Note: The word geriatrics was introduced by the Austrian-born U.S. physician Ignatz Leo Nascher (1863-1944) in the article "Geriatrics," New York Journal of Medicine, vol. 90, no. 8 (August 21, 1909), p. 358: "Geriatrics, from geras, old age, and iatrikos, relating to the physician, is a term I would suggest as an addition to our vocabulary, to cover the same field in old age that is covered by the term pædiatrics in childhood." — The peculiar lengthened grade in Greek gḗras has been explained as deriving from the aorist egḗrā "(s/he) became old." The diverse forms and meanings in Indo-Iranian perhaps reflect a merger of two roots, *ǵerh₂- "become old" and *ǵerH- "wear down, grind." See also geronto-, churl, corn entry 1.

Adjective

back-formation from geriatrics

First Known Use

Noun

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

geriatric 1 of 2

noun

ge·ri·at·ric ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik How to pronounce geriatric (audio)

ˌjir-

geriatrics plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and aging people compare gerontology

: an aged person

geriatric

2 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to geriatrics or its practice

the geriatric department in a hospital

a geriatric ward

: of, relating to, affecting, or being aged individuals

the geriatric population

geriatric depression

treated geriatric animals

单词	geriatric
释义	geriatric 1 of 2 noun ge·ri·at·ric ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik ˌjir- 1 geriatrics ˌjer-ē-ˈa-triks ˌjir- plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging people An old family member is often the inspiration for medical students who choose geriatrics. Katie Hafner compare gerontology 2 : an aged person To put it mildly, the geriatrics of the entertainment industry didn't see this coming. John Perry Barlow geriatric 2 of 2 adjective 1 a : of or relating to geriatrics or the process of aging b : of, relating to, or appropriate for elderly people the geriatric set 2 a : old, elderly a geriatric dachshund b : old and outmoded geriatric airplanes Did you know? Since most medical care is devoted to those over 65, geriatrics, the medical treatment of the elderly, is a highly important specialty. The specific problems of the elderly include physical inactivity and instability, which result from weakness and loss of energy. Weakness of the eyes and ears plays a role, and weakening of the immune system often leads to more disease. All these conditions can be made worse by mental problems, such as declining intellectual activity, declining memory, and depression, which may prevent the patient from taking action to improve his or her condition. But the effects of aging can be greatly relieved by proper care. And the greatest improvement often results when the patient is persuaded to become more physically, mentally, and socially active. Synonyms Noun ancient elder golden-ager old-timer oldster senior senior citizen Adjective aged aging ageing ancient elderly long-lived old older over-the-hill senescent senior unyoung See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun most of the clinic's outpatients are geriatrics living on fixed incomes Adjective children who think that anyone over the age of 40 is geriatric went into nursing to work with geriatric patients Recent Examples on the Web Noun The geriatric among us were already working (or trying to) when the Great Recession hit. Sara Rathner Nerdwallet, Star Tribune, 10 July 2021 The first real-world BCI boom is expected in VR gaming headsets, with future applications to support the escalating geriatric and Alzheimer’s populations look promising. Frank Fitzpatrick, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 It's just become a sport for the geriatric and anyone with a few million followers on social media who can throw a punch. Tim Dahlberg, Star Tribune, 30 Mar. 2021 Some states in America, including Alabama, California and Georgia, have geriatric-release laws. The Economist, 7 Sep. 2020 Like many nursing programs around the country seeking to address the shortage of nursing personnel able to care for the growing senior population, the nursing school at St. Thomas has added a clinical experience in geriatrics into their program. Alice Adams, Houston Chronicle, 9 Mar. 2018 Now Gove’s remark became the source of the ashen taste in the mouths of Remoaner metropolitan elites bewailing how provincial troglodytes, geriatrics, and Little Englanders had dashed their rationalist, internationalist dreams. Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 Apr. 2020 There are sweatshirt-wearing college students, cantankerous geriatrics, bedraggled parents of toddlers, hipsters with multiple facial piercings and purple-haired 20-somethings of indeterminate gender. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 7 Feb. 2020 Yet geriatrics is badly scanted in standard medical training. Joseph Epstein, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2020 Adjective The findings did not surprise the researchers – rather, they were shocked, said Laura Baker, an author of the study and professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 14 Sep. 2022 Many geriatric, ill, and injured civilians could not navigate the walkway at all. Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 2 May 2022 Devices and therapies ready to head to human trials can seek volunteers among a large pool of Hopkins geriatric patients. Meredith Cohn, Washington Post, 18 May 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne. Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 Leah O’Rourke, a 31-year-old physical therapist for older adults, posts geriatric care advice on her Instagram account, Love to Care For. Wired, 15 July 2022 As geriatric politicians have blocked climate action at the national level, younger generations—here meaning virtually anyone younger than 50—have turned to corporate climate action as a salve. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022 Locals in Seulo scoffed at the pretension of Perdasdefogu to the geriatric throne. New York Times, 13 July 2022 Tickets to the event range from $25 to $250 and all proceeds benefit Mt. Sinai’s Martha Stewart Centers for Living, which offer primary care for geriatric patients. Olivia Hosken, Town & Country, 18 Apr. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun geriatrics from Greek gḗras "old age" + -iatrics; gḗras going back to a lengthened grade ablaut derivative of an Indo-European verbal base ǵerh₂- "become old, ripen," whence also, with varying ablaut and suffixation, Greek géras* "gift of honor," geraiós "old," Old Church Slavic sŭzĭrějǫ, sŭzĭrěti "to ripen, mature," Armenian cer "old man, old," Sanskrit járati "(s/he) makes old, ages, decays," jaraṇáḥ "old, decayed," jarā́ "old age," Avestan zarəta- "old," azarəšant- "unaging," Persian zar "old man," zāl "(of persons) old" Note: The word geriatrics was introduced by the Austrian-born U.S. physician Ignatz Leo Nascher (1863-1944) in the article "Geriatrics," New York Journal of Medicine, vol. 90, no. 8 (August 21, 1909), p. 358: "Geriatrics, from geras, old age, and iatrikos, relating to the physician, is a term I would suggest as an addition to our vocabulary, to cover the same field in old age that is covered by the term pædiatrics in childhood." — The peculiar lengthened grade in Greek gḗras has been explained as deriving from the aorist egḗrā "(s/he) became old." The diverse forms and meanings in Indo-Iranian perhaps reflect a merger of two roots, ǵerh₂- "become old" and ǵerH- "wear down, grind." See also geronto-, churl, corn entry 1. Adjective back-formation from geriatrics First Known Use Noun 1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adjective 1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Medical Definition geriatric 1 of 2 noun ge·ri·at·ric ˌjer-ē-ˈa-trik ˌjir- 1 geriatrics plural in form 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 geriatric 2 of 2 adjective 1 : of or relating to geriatrics or its practice the geriatric department in a hospital a geriatric ward 2 : of, relating to, affecting, or being aged individuals the geriatric population geriatric depression treated geriatric animals geriatric 1 of 2 adjective as in elderly being of advanced years and especially past middle age went into nursing to work with geriatric patients Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance elderly older aging old ageing aged senior senescent ancient over-the-hill octogenarian unyoung septuagenarian sexagenarian adult nonagenarian centenarian long-lived long in the tooth senile superannuated retired oldish doddering decrepit of a certain age venerable middle-aged pensioned anile tottery spavined mature patriarchal grown-up matriarchal overaged overage Antonyms & Near Antonyms young youthful adolescent youngish juvenile ageless immature puerile minor infantile green underage inexperienced preteen callow childish childlike raw babyish infantine kiddish See More geriatric 2 of 2 noun as in elder a person of advanced years most of the clinic's outpatients are geriatrics living on fixed incomes Synonyms & Similar Words elder adult oldster ancient senior old-timer senior citizen patriarch dowager golden-ager graybeard dotard beldam beldame grandam whitebeard grown-up gaffer grandame Antonyms & Near Antonyms youth adolescent youngster juvenile minor child kid kiddie kiddy cub See More
随便看	throned throneless thronelet thrones throneward throng thronged thronging throngs throning throp throp desk thropple throppled thropples throppling throstle throstle cock throstles throt throttle throttle back throttle lever throttle valve throttleable

geriatric

noun

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Medical Definition

noun

adjective

adjective

noun