adjective
veterinary
VET-er-uh-nair-ee/ˈvetərəneri/
Relating to medical care for animals.
The shelter provides veterinary care for every animal it rescues.
Etymology
Latin veterinarius concerned beasts of burden. In English, the adjective referred specifically to medical and surgical treatment of domestic animals, especially horses and cattle, rather than simply anything involving them.
In context
can provide emergency care as necessary. We are not the doctors that should be seeing these cats on a long term basis. This is an animal that requires very specialized veterinary care.
More examples
- Our cat has an appointment at the veterinary clinic.
- She studies veterinary medicine to learn how to treat sick animals.
- The farm's veterinary bills rise when several cows get sick.
Forms
veterinarian noun — A doctor who provides medical care for animals.
Similar words
- medical
- Covers health care generally, rather than specifically care for animals.