nail

Antonyms: Noun

Usage of doctor

Noun

Doctor's appointment is much more common than doctor appointment, despite the fact that doctor's appointment seems to suggest that the appointment belongs to the doctor rather than to the patient. The more popular form is, however, grammatical; the {apos}s in doctor's appointment is showing not possession, but association. Just as a belt's buckle is not owned by the belt but associated with it, so too is a doctor's appointment an appointment that is associated with a doctor, rather than owned by one. Doctor appointment is also grammatical: in that form, doctor is simply modifying appointment as a descriptor, just as belt modifies buckle in belt buckle.

Examples

Noun

//He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
//She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
//I saw her at the doctor's last week.
//How long will you be at the doctor?
//Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
//Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?

Verb

//They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
//a doctored photo of the actress
//I think somebody doctored the punch.
//He had time to doctor his wounds.
//She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile

doctor

verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to give medical treatment to //a pledge to doctor the burn victims until they were whole again
Synonyms

treat
Related Words

cure heal mend rehabilitate remedy
attend care (for) dose drug hospitalize minister (to) nurse
to put into good shape or working order again //spends his spare time doctoring old clocks
Synonyms

fix mend patch recondition renovate repair revamp
Related Words

fix up furbish overhaul rebuild reconstruct refurbish
aid cure heal help
condition prepare ready
care (for) maintain service
freshen refresh refreshen regenerate rejuvenate renew restore revitalize revive
adjust correct modify rectify redress reformpan>
to get rid of discard //ditch an old car //had to ditch their plan
to end association with leave //ditched school //His girlfriend ditched him.
intransitive verb
to dig a ditch
aviation to crash-land at sea

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough

Synonyms: Verb

Examples

Noun

//He drove the car into the ditch.
//after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Verb

//The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
//They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
//They ditched me at the concert.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

ditch

noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

a long narrow channel dug in the earth //after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch
Synonyms

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough
Related Words

acequia [Southwest] culvert drain draw gully (also gulley) ravine
drill furrow
ha-ha moat stank [British dialect] sunk fence
kennel

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

to end a usually intimate relationship with //ditched his wife for a woman 30 years his junior
Synonyms

blow off break off (with) dump jilt kiss off leave
Related Words

brush (aside or off) cold-shoulder cut high-hat slight snub
abandon desert forsake maroon quit
Synonymous Phrases

kiss good-bye
Near Antonyms

hook up (with) take
befriend latch (on or onto)
to get rid of as useless or unwanted //we ditched the old table at the town dump
Synonyms

cashier cast (off) chuck deep-six discard dump eighty-six (or 86) exorcise (also exorcize) fling (off or away) jettison junk lay by lose pitch reject scrap shed shuck (off) slough (off) also sluff (off) throw away throw out toss unload
Related Words

abandon abdicate desert forsake
dismiss kick out
abolish annihilate eliminate eradicate expunge exterminate extinguish extirpate liquidate remove root (out) stamp (out) wipe out
Synonymous Phrases

dispose of set aside
Near Antonyms

adopt embrace take on
employ use utilize
hold hold back keep retain

doctor

noun

doc·tor

ˈdäk-tər

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a person skilled or specializing in healing arts
especially someone (such as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice //an eye doctor //doctors' bills //See your doctor if the condition worsens.
medicine man
Christianity an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church
— called also doctor of the church
a learned or authoritative teacher
a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (such as a PhD) conferred by a university //Most of the college's faculty members are doctors in their fields. //The class is being taught by Doctor Menzer.
a person awarded an honorary doctorate (such as an LLD or DBA) by a college or university
material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things

verb

doctored; doctoring ˈdäk-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give medical treatment to //doctored her ailing husband
to restore to good condition repair //doctor an old clock
to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment //doctored the play to suit the audience //The drink was doctored.
to alter deceptively //accused of doctoring the election returns //The pitcher tried to cheat by doctoring the baseball.
intransitive verb
to practice medicine //a career doctoring in the country
dialect to take medicine

Other Words

Noun

doctoral ˈdäk-t(ə-)rəl adjective
doctorless ˈdäk-tər-ləs adjective
doctorship ˈdäk-tər-ˌship noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

croaker [slang] doc medic medico physician sawbones [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

Usage of doctor

Noun

Doctor's appointment is much more common than doctor appointment, despite the fact that doctor's appointment seems to suggest that the appointment belongs to the doctor rather than to the patient. The more popular form is, however, grammatical; the {apos}s in doctor's appointment is showing not possession, but association. Just as a belt's buckle is not owned by the belt but associated with it, so too is a doctor's appointment an appointment that is associated with a doctor, rather than owned by one. Doctor appointment is also grammatical: in that form, doctor is simply modifying appointment as a descriptor, just as belt modifies buckle in belt buckle.

Examples

Noun

//He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
//She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
//I saw her at the doctor's last week.
//How long will you be at the doctor?
//Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
//Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?

Verb

//They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
//a doctored photo of the actress
//I think somebody doctored the punch.
//He had time to doctor his wounds.
//She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile

doctor

verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to give medical treatment to //a pledge to doctor the burn victims until they were whole again
Synonyms

treat
Related Words

cure heal mend rehabilitate remedy
attend care (for) dose drug hospitalize minister (to) nurse
to put into good shape or working order again //spends his spare time doctoring old clocks
Synonyms

fix mend patch recondition renovate repair revamp
Related Words

fix up furbish overhaul rebuild reconstruct refurbish
aid cure heal help
condition prepare ready
care (for) maintain service
freshen refresh refreshen regenerate rejuvenate renew restore revitalize revive
adjust correct modify rectify redress reformpan>
to get rid of discard //ditch an old car //had to ditch their plan
to end association with leave //ditched school //His girlfriend ditched him.
intransitive verb
to dig a ditch
aviation to crash-land at sea

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough

Synonyms: Verb

Examples

Noun

//He drove the car into the ditch.
//after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Verb

//The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
//They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
//They ditched me at the concert.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

ditch

noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

a long narrow channel dug in the earth //after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch
Synonyms

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough
Related Words

acequia [Southwest] culvert drain draw gully (also gulley) ravine
drill furrow
ha-ha moat stank [British dialect] sunk fence
kennel

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

to end a usually intimate relationship with //ditched his wife for a woman 30 years his junior
Synonyms

blow off break off (with) dump jilt kiss off leave
Related Words

brush (aside or off) cold-shoulder cut high-hat slight snub
abandon desert forsake maroon quit
Synonymous Phrases

kiss good-bye
Near Antonyms

hook up (with) take
befriend latch (on or onto)
to get rid of as useless or unwanted //we ditched the old table at the town dump
Synonyms

cashier cast (off) chuck deep-six discard dump eighty-six (or 86) exorcise (also exorcize) fling (off or away) jettison junk lay by lose pitch reject scrap shed shuck (off) slough (off) also sluff (off) throw away throw out toss unload
Related Words

abandon abdicate desert forsake
dismiss kick out
abolish annihilate eliminate eradicate expunge exterminate extinguish extirpate liquidate remove root (out) stamp (out) wipe out
Synonymous Phrases

dispose of set aside
Near Antonyms

adopt embrace take on
employ use utilize
hold hold back keep retain

doctor

noun

doc·tor

ˈdäk-tər

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a person skilled or specializing in healing arts
especially someone (such as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice //an eye doctor //doctors' bills //See your doctor if the condition worsens.
medicine man
Christianity an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church
— called also doctor of the church
a learned or authoritative teacher
a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (such as a PhD) conferred by a university //Most of the college's faculty members are doctors in their fields. //The class is being taught by Doctor Menzer.
a person awarded an honorary doctorate (such as an LLD or DBA) by a college or university
material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things

verb

doctored; doctoring ˈdäk-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give medical treatment to //doctored her ailing husband
to restore to good condition repair //doctor an old clock
to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment //doctored the play to suit the audience //The drink was doctored.
to alter deceptively //accused of doctoring the election returns //The pitcher tried to cheat by doctoring the baseball.
intransitive verb
to practice medicine //a career doctoring in the country
dialect to take medicine

Other Words

Noun

doctoral ˈdäk-t(ə-)rəl adjective
doctorless ˈdäk-tər-ləs adjective
doctorship ˈdäk-tər-ˌship noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

croaker [slang] doc medic medico physician sawbones [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

Usage of doctor

Noun

Doctor's appointment is much more common than doctor appointment, despite the fact that doctor's appointment seems to suggest that the appointment belongs to the doctor rather than to the patient. The more popular form is, however, grammatical; the {apos}s in doctor's appointment is showing not possession, but association. Just as a belt's buckle is not owned by the belt but associated with it, so too is a doctor's appointment an appointment that is associated with a doctor, rather than owned by one. Doctor appointment is also grammatical: in that form, doctor is simply modifying appointment as a descriptor, just as belt modifies buckle in belt buckle.

Examples

Noun

//He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
//She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
//I saw her at the doctor's last week.
//How long will you be at the doctor?
//Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
//Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?

Verb

//They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
//a doctored photo of the actress
//I think somebody doctored the punch.
//He had time to doctor his wounds.
//She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile

doctor

verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to give medical treatment to //a pledge to doctor the burn victims until they were whole again
Synonyms

treat
Related Words

cure heal mend rehabilitate remedy
attend care (for) dose drug hospitalize minister (to) nurse
to put into good shape or working order again //spends his spare time doctoring old clocks
Synonyms

fix mend patch recondition renovate repair revamp
Related Words

fix up furbish overhaul rebuild reconstruct refurbish
aid cure heal help
condition prepare ready
care (for) maintain service
freshen refresh refreshen regenerate rejuvenate renew restore revitalize revive
adjust correct modify rectify redress reformpan>
to get rid of discard //ditch an old car //had to ditch their plan
to end association with leave //ditched school //His girlfriend ditched him.
intransitive verb
to dig a ditch
aviation to crash-land at sea

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough

Synonyms: Verb

Examples

Noun

//He drove the car into the ditch.
//after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Verb

//The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
//They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
//They ditched me at the concert.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

ditch

noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

a long narrow channel dug in the earth //after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch
Synonyms

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough
Related Words

acequia [Southwest] culvert drain draw gully (also gulley) ravine
drill furrow
ha-ha moat stank [British dialect] sunk fence
kennel

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

to end a usually intimate relationship with //ditched his wife for a woman 30 years his junior
Synonyms

blow off break off (with) dump jilt kiss off leave
Related Words

brush (aside or off) cold-shoulder cut high-hat slight snub
abandon desert forsake maroon quit
Synonymous Phrases

kiss good-bye
Near Antonyms

hook up (with) take
befriend latch (on or onto)
to get rid of as useless or unwanted //we ditched the old table at the town dump
Synonyms

cashier cast (off) chuck deep-six discard dump eighty-six (or 86) exorcise (also exorcize) fling (off or away) jettison junk lay by lose pitch reject scrap shed shuck (off) slough (off) also sluff (off) throw away throw out toss unload
Related Words

abandon abdicate desert forsake
dismiss kick out
abolish annihilate eliminate eradicate expunge exterminate extinguish extirpate liquidate remove root (out) stamp (out) wipe out
Synonymous Phrases

dispose of set aside
Near Antonyms

adopt embrace take on
employ use utilize
hold hold back keep retain

doctor

noun

doc·tor

ˈdäk-tər

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a person skilled or specializing in healing arts
especially someone (such as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice //an eye doctor //doctors' bills //See your doctor if the condition worsens.
medicine man
Christianity an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church
— called also doctor of the church
a learned or authoritative teacher
a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (such as a PhD) conferred by a university //Most of the college's faculty members are doctors in their fields. //The class is being taught by Doctor Menzer.
a person awarded an honorary doctorate (such as an LLD or DBA) by a college or university
material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things

verb

doctored; doctoring ˈdäk-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give medical treatment to //doctored her ailing husband
to restore to good condition repair //doctor an old clock
to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment //doctored the play to suit the audience //The drink was doctored.
to alter deceptively //accused of doctoring the election returns //The pitcher tried to cheat by doctoring the baseball.
intransitive verb
to practice medicine //a career doctoring in the country
dialect to take medicine

Other Words

Noun

doctoral ˈdäk-t(ə-)rəl adjective
doctorless ˈdäk-tər-ləs adjective
doctorship ˈdäk-tər-ˌship noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

croaker [slang] doc medic medico physician sawbones [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

Usage of doctor

Noun

Doctor's appointment is much more common than doctor appointment, despite the fact that doctor's appointment seems to suggest that the appointment belongs to the doctor rather than to the patient. The more popular form is, however, grammatical; the {apos}s in doctor's appointment is showing not possession, but association. Just as a belt's buckle is not owned by the belt but associated with it, so too is a doctor's appointment an appointment that is associated with a doctor, rather than owned by one. Doctor appointment is also grammatical: in that form, doctor is simply modifying appointment as a descriptor, just as belt modifies buckle in belt buckle.

Examples

Noun

//He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
//She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
//I saw her at the doctor's last week.
//How long will you be at the doctor?
//Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
//Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?

Verb

//They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
//a doctored photo of the actress
//I think somebody doctored the punch.
//He had time to doctor his wounds.
//She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile

doctor

verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to give medical treatment to //a pledge to doctor the burn victims until they were whole again
Synonyms

treat
Related Words

cure heal mend rehabilitate remedy
attend care (for) dose drug hospitalize minister (to) nurse
to put into good shape or working order again //spends his spare time doctoring old clocks
Synonyms

fix mend patch recondition renovate repair revamp
Related Words

fix up furbish overhaul rebuild reconstruct refurbish
aid cure heal help
condition prepare ready
care (for) maintain service
freshen refresh refreshen regenerate rejuvenate renew restore revitalize revive
adjust correct modify rectify redress reformpan>
to get rid of discard //ditch an old car //had to ditch their plan
to end association with leave //ditched school //His girlfriend ditched him.
intransitive verb
to dig a ditch
aviation to crash-land at sea

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough

Synonyms: Verb

Examples

Noun

//He drove the car into the ditch.
//after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Verb

//The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
//They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
//They ditched me at the concert.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

ditch

noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

a long narrow channel dug in the earth //after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch
Synonyms

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough
Related Words

acequia [Southwest] culvert drain draw gully (also gulley) ravine
drill furrow
ha-ha moat stank [British dialect] sunk fence
kennel

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

to end a usually intimate relationship with //ditched his wife for a woman 30 years his junior
Synonyms

blow off break off (with) dump jilt kiss off leave
Related Words

brush (aside or off) cold-shoulder cut high-hat slight snub
abandon desert forsake maroon quit
Synonymous Phrases

kiss good-bye
Near Antonyms

hook up (with) take
befriend latch (on or onto)
to get rid of as useless or unwanted //we ditched the old table at the town dump
Synonyms

cashier cast (off) chuck deep-six discard dump eighty-six (or 86) exorcise (also exorcize) fling (off or away) jettison junk lay by lose pitch reject scrap shed shuck (off) slough (off) also sluff (off) throw away throw out toss unload
Related Words

abandon abdicate desert forsake
dismiss kick out
abolish annihilate eliminate eradicate expunge exterminate extinguish extirpate liquidate remove root (out) stamp (out) wipe out
Synonymous Phrases

dispose of set aside
Near Antonyms

adopt embrace take on
employ use utilize
hold hold back keep retain

doctor

noun

doc·tor

ˈdäk-tər

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a person skilled or specializing in healing arts
especially someone (such as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice //an eye doctor //doctors' bills //See your doctor if the condition worsens.
medicine man
Christianity an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church
— called also doctor of the church
a learned or authoritative teacher
a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (such as a PhD) conferred by a university //Most of the college's faculty members are doctors in their fields. //The class is being taught by Doctor Menzer.
a person awarded an honorary doctorate (such as an LLD or DBA) by a college or university
material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things

verb

doctored; doctoring ˈdäk-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give medical treatment to //doctored her ailing husband
to restore to good condition repair //doctor an old clock
to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment //doctored the play to suit the audience //The drink was doctored.
to alter deceptively //accused of doctoring the election returns //The pitcher tried to cheat by doctoring the baseball.
intransitive verb
to practice medicine //a career doctoring in the country
dialect to take medicine

Other Words

Noun

doctoral ˈdäk-t(ə-)rəl adjective
doctorless ˈdäk-tər-ləs adjective
doctorship ˈdäk-tər-ˌship noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

croaker [slang] doc medic medico physician sawbones [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

Usage of doctor

Noun

Doctor's appointment is much more common than doctor appointment, despite the fact that doctor's appointment seems to suggest that the appointment belongs to the doctor rather than to the patient. The more popular form is, however, grammatical; the {apos}s in doctor's appointment is showing not possession, but association. Just as a belt's buckle is not owned by the belt but associated with it, so too is a doctor's appointment an appointment that is associated with a doctor, rather than owned by one. Doctor appointment is also grammatical: in that form, doctor is simply modifying appointment as a descriptor, just as belt modifies buckle in belt buckle.

Examples

Noun

//He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
//She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
//I saw her at the doctor's last week.
//How long will you be at the doctor?
//Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
//Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?

Verb

//They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
//a doctored photo of the actress
//I think somebody doctored the punch.
//He had time to doctor his wounds.
//She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile

doctor

verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to give medical treatment to //a pledge to doctor the burn victims until they were whole again
Synonyms

treat
Related Words

cure heal mend rehabilitate remedy
attend care (for) dose drug hospitalize minister (to) nurse
to put into good shape or working order again //spends his spare time doctoring old clocks
Synonyms

fix mend patch recondition renovate repair revamp
Related Words

fix up furbish overhaul rebuild reconstruct refurbish
aid cure heal help
condition prepare ready
care (for) maintain service
freshen refresh refreshen regenerate rejuvenate renew restore revitalize revive
adjust correct modify rectify redress reformpan>
to get rid of discard //ditch an old car //had to ditch their plan
to end association with leave //ditched school //His girlfriend ditched him.
intransitive verb
to dig a ditch
aviation to crash-land at sea

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough

Synonyms: Verb

Examples

Noun

//He drove the car into the ditch.
//after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Verb

//The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
//They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
//They ditched me at the concert.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

ditch

noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

a long narrow channel dug in the earth //after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch
Synonyms

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough
Related Words

acequia [Southwest] culvert drain draw gully (also gulley) ravine
drill furrow
ha-ha moat stank [British dialect] sunk fence
kennel

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

to end a usually intimate relationship with //ditched his wife for a woman 30 years his junior
Synonyms

blow off break off (with) dump jilt kiss off leave
Related Words

brush (aside or off) cold-shoulder cut high-hat slight snub
abandon desert forsake maroon quit
Synonymous Phrases

kiss good-bye
Near Antonyms

hook up (with) take
befriend latch (on or onto)
to get rid of as useless or unwanted //we ditched the old table at the town dump
Synonyms

cashier cast (off) chuck deep-six discard dump eighty-six (or 86) exorcise (also exorcize) fling (off or away) jettison junk lay by lose pitch reject scrap shed shuck (off) slough (off) also sluff (off) throw away throw out toss unload
Related Words

abandon abdicate desert forsake
dismiss kick out
abolish annihilate eliminate eradicate expunge exterminate extinguish extirpate liquidate remove root (out) stamp (out) wipe out
Synonymous Phrases

dispose of set aside
Near Antonyms

adopt embrace take on
employ use utilize
hold hold back keep retain

doctor

noun

doc·tor

ˈdäk-tər

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a person skilled or specializing in healing arts
especially someone (such as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice //an eye doctor //doctors' bills //See your doctor if the condition worsens.
medicine man
Christianity an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church
— called also doctor of the church
a learned or authoritative teacher
a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (such as a PhD) conferred by a university //Most of the college's faculty members are doctors in their fields. //The class is being taught by Doctor Menzer.
a person awarded an honorary doctorate (such as an LLD or DBA) by a college or university
material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things

verb

doctored; doctoring ˈdäk-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give medical treatment to //doctored her ailing husband
to restore to good condition repair //doctor an old clock
to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment //doctored the play to suit the audience //The drink was doctored.
to alter deceptively //accused of doctoring the election returns //The pitcher tried to cheat by doctoring the baseball.
intransitive verb
to practice medicine //a career doctoring in the country
dialect to take medicine

Other Words

Noun

doctoral ˈdäk-t(ə-)rəl adjective
doctorless ˈdäk-tər-ləs adjective
doctorship ˈdäk-tər-ˌship noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

croaker [slang] doc medic medico physician sawbones [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun

Usage of doctor

Noun

Doctor's appointment is much more common than doctor appointment, despite the fact that doctor's appointment seems to suggest that the appointment belongs to the doctor rather than to the patient. The more popular form is, however, grammatical; the {apos}s in doctor's appointment is showing not possession, but association. Just as a belt's buckle is not owned by the belt but associated with it, so too is a doctor's appointment an appointment that is associated with a doctor, rather than owned by one. Doctor appointment is also grammatical: in that form, doctor is simply modifying appointment as a descriptor, just as belt modifies buckle in belt buckle.

Examples

Noun

//He needed medicine but refused to go to a doctor.
//She was under doctor's orders not to return to work.
//I saw her at the doctor's last week.
//How long will you be at the doctor?
//Most of the faculty members at this college are doctors in their fields.
//Dr. Smith, can you explain the exam requirements again?

Verb

//They were accused of doctoring the company's financial records.
//a doctored photo of the actress
//I think somebody doctored the punch.
//He had time to doctor his wounds.
//She doctored the sick child until the physician arrived.

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1712, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English doctour teacher, doctor, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin doctor, from Latin, teacher, from docēre to teach — more at docile

doctor

verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to give medical treatment to //a pledge to doctor the burn victims until they were whole again
Synonyms

treat
Related Words

cure heal mend rehabilitate remedy
attend care (for) dose drug hospitalize minister (to) nurse
to put into good shape or working order again //spends his spare time doctoring old clocks
Synonyms

fix mend patch recondition renovate repair revamp
Related Words

fix up furbish overhaul rebuild reconstruct refurbish
aid cure heal help
condition prepare ready
care (for) maintain service
freshen refresh refreshen regenerate rejuvenate renew restore revitalize revive
adjust correct modify rectify redress reformpan>
to get rid of discard //ditch an old car //had to ditch their plan
to end association with leave //ditched school //His girlfriend ditched him.
intransitive verb
to dig a ditch
aviation to crash-land at sea

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough

Synonyms: Verb

Examples

Noun

//He drove the car into the ditch.
//after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch

Verb

//The thief ditched the purse in an alley.
//They ditched the car in a vacant lot.
//They ditched me at the concert.

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dich, from Old English dīc dike, ditch; akin to Middle High German tīch pond, dike

ditch

noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

a long narrow channel dug in the earth //after skidding on the ice, our car went right into the ditch
Synonyms

dike fosse (or foss) gutter sheugh [chiefly Scottish] trench trough
Related Words

acequia [Southwest] culvert drain draw gully (also gulley) ravine
drill furrow
ha-ha moat stank [British dialect] sunk fence
kennel

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

to end a usually intimate relationship with //ditched his wife for a woman 30 years his junior
Synonyms

blow off break off (with) dump jilt kiss off leave
Related Words

brush (aside or off) cold-shoulder cut high-hat slight snub
abandon desert forsake maroon quit
Synonymous Phrases

kiss good-bye
Near Antonyms

hook up (with) take
befriend latch (on or onto)
to get rid of as useless or unwanted //we ditched the old table at the town dump
Synonyms

cashier cast (off) chuck deep-six discard dump eighty-six (or 86) exorcise (also exorcize) fling (off or away) jettison junk lay by lose pitch reject scrap shed shuck (off) slough (off) also sluff (off) throw away throw out toss unload
Related Words

abandon abdicate desert forsake
dismiss kick out
abolish annihilate eliminate eradicate expunge exterminate extinguish extirpate liquidate remove root (out) stamp (out) wipe out
Synonymous Phrases

dispose of set aside
Near Antonyms

adopt embrace take on
employ use utilize
hold hold back keep retain

doctor

noun

doc·tor

ˈdäk-tər

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

a person skilled or specializing in healing arts
especially someone (such as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian) who holds an advanced degree and is licensed to practice //an eye doctor //doctors' bills //See your doctor if the condition worsens.
medicine man
Christianity an eminent theologian declared a sound expounder of doctrine by the Roman Catholic Church
— called also doctor of the church
a learned or authoritative teacher
a person who has earned one of the highest academic degrees (such as a PhD) conferred by a university //Most of the college's faculty members are doctors in their fields. //The class is being taught by Doctor Menzer.
a person awarded an honorary doctorate (such as an LLD or DBA) by a college or university
material added (as to food) to produce a desired effect
a blade (as of metal) for spreading a coating or scraping a surface
a person who restores, repairs, or fine-tunes things

verb

doctored; doctoring ˈdäk-t(ə-)riŋ

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb
to give medical treatment to //doctored her ailing husband
to restore to good condition repair //doctor an old clock
to adapt or modify for a desired end by alteration or special treatment //doctored the play to suit the audience //The drink was doctored.
to alter deceptively //accused of doctoring the election returns //The pitcher tried to cheat by doctoring the baseball.
intransitive verb
to practice medicine //a career doctoring in the country
dialect to take medicine

Other Words

Noun

doctoral ˈdäk-t(ə-)rəl adjective
doctorless ˈdäk-tər-ləs adjective
doctorship ˈdäk-tər-ˌship noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

croaker [slang] doc medic medico physician sawbones [slang]

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Noun