medical

[ med-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the science or practice of medicine:

   medical history; medical treatment.

2. curative; medicinal; therapeutic:

   medical properties.

3. pertaining to or requiring treatment by other than surgical means.
4. pertaining to or giving evidence of the state of one's health:

   a medical discharge from the army; a medical examination.

noun

1. something done or received in regard to the state of one's health, as a medical examination.

medical

/ ˈmɛdɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the science of medicine or to the treatment of patients by drugs, etc, as opposed to surgery
2. a less common word for medicinal

noun

1. informal.
   a medical examination

Derived Forms

• ˈmedically, adverb

Other Words From

• medi·cal·ly adverb
• anti·medi·cal adjective
• anti·medi·cal·ly adverb
• non·medi·cal adjective
• non·medi·cal·ly adverb
• pseudo·medi·cal adjective
• pseudo·medi·cal·ly adverb
• quasi-medi·cal adjective
• quasi-medi·cal·ly adverb
• un·medi·cal adjective
• un·medi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of medical¹

1640–50; < Medieval Latin medicālis, equivalent to Latin medic ( us ) medical (adj.), physician (noun) (derivative of medērī to heal; -ic ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of medical¹

C17: from Medieval Latin medicālis, from Latin medicus physician, surgeon, from medērī to heal

Example Sentences

The eventual winner of Miss South Africa, Mia le Roux, pulled out of Miss Universe last week citing an undisclosed medical condition.

From BBC

“Matthew Perry’s tragic death by drowning while intoxicated illustrates that the greatest risks from ketamine are not direct effects of the drug but from using outside of medical settings or without proper monitoring.”

From Salon

The fight, initially scheduled for July, was postponed in May on medical advice after Tyson suffered from a stomach ulcer flare-up which he has now revealed was more serious than it first appeared.

From BBC

Recent bankruptcy filings listed about 300 such unresolved cases, with well over $2 million owed to injured workers, medical providers and others.

From New York Times

Recent evidence, however, suggests that this Clade I outbreak may be causing less severe illness than previous ones, especially when patients get quality medical care, the CDC said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• medicinal
• therapeutic

More About Medical

What does medical mean?

Medical describes something related to the science or practice of medicine, as in My doctor’s medical experience with cancer is extensive.

Medical also describes something that provides a cure or therapy for an illness or disease, as in Garlic has medical properties that have been widely studied.

Example: He has to receive medical treatment one way or another.

Where does medical come from?

The first records of the term medical come from the mid-1600s. It comes from the Latin medicus, meaning “medical” or “physician.”

Medical is used to describe many things related to medicine, such as examinations, treatments, and experts. When this word is applied to something, it usually has a specific meaning, such as a medical expert being a doctor or nurse.

Even though they are very similar, there is often a distinct line drawn between a medical treatment and a surgical treatment. A medical treatment can include ways to treat a health problem, such as medicine, casts, stitches, and the giving of oxygen. A surgical treatment only includes surgery.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to medical?

• medically (adverb)
• antimedical (adjective)
• nonmedical (adjective)
• pseudomedical (adjective)

What are some synonyms for medical?

• healing
• medicinal
• pharmaceutical
• preventive
• therapeutic

What are some words that share a root or word element with medical?

• medic
• medicine
• medical assistant

What are some words that often get used in discussing medical?

• examination
• expert
• medicine
• professional
• treatment

How is medical used in real life?

Medical is used both in professional circumstances, as well as casual conversations.

Number of people who go bankrupt every year bc of medical bills:

Britain: 0
France:0
Japan: 0
Germany: 0
Canada: 0

USA: 643,000

— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) November 1, 2017

*googles mild medical issue*

*plans funeral*

— Phil Lester (@AmazingPhil) September 6, 2017

Due to medical reasons, effective immediately, I am announcing my retirement. Tonight on Raw, I'll have a chance to elaborate. #gratitude

— Bryan Danielson (@bryandanielson) February 8, 2016

 

 

Try using medical!

True or False?

If you severely cut yourself, medical treatment might includes stitches.