doctor

Definitions

doct (from docēre, 'to teach') + -or (one who) = 'one who teaches' — a learned master. In medieval universities this was the title of the top scholar, a sense that lives on in PhD ('Doctor of Philosophy'). The everyday 'physician' meaning came later: a doctor was a 'learned person' in the art of healing. The verb 'to doctor' (tamper with) is figurative — to secretly 'treat' or 'fix' something, like a quack patching up evidence.

Why It Means This

The split between the academic and medical senses of doctor confuses many learners. Both come from one idea — a 'doctor' is a learned person. The PhD keeps the original sense (a master scholar who can teach); the physician sense narrowed from 'learned person in medicine.' The verb sense ('doctor the photos') is a later, slightly negative twist: to secretly 'treat' something into a false state.

Common Collocations

• 1.see a doctor看医生
• 2.family doctor家庭医生
• 3.consult a doctor咨询医生
• 4.doctor's appointment看病预约
• 5.doctor doctored the evidence篡改证据

Example Sentences

• 1.

  You should see a doctor if the pain doesn't go away in a few days.

• 2.

  She earned her doctor's degree in chemistry after six years of research.

• 3.

  The official was accused of doctoring the financial records to hide the loss.

• 4.

  The doctor told him to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Easily Confused

doctor vs physician vs surgeon — doctor is the everyday word for any medical practitioner (and also means a PhD holder). physician is formal and specifically a non-surgical medical doctor (treats with medicine). surgeon operates. In US English a PhD is called 'Doctor' too, so context tells you which 'doctor' is meant.