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The combining form -iatric is used like a suffix meaning “of or relating to a kind of medical practice, treatment, or healing.” It is used in some adjectives referring to specific types of medical practices.

The combining form -iatric comes from the Greek ����ٰ�����ó��, meaning “of healing,” from ����ٰ�ó��, “healer.” The Greek iatro-, source of iatro-, is a corresponding form of -iatric combined to the beginning of words.

Closely related in use and origin to -iatric is the combining form -iatrics, meaning “healing, medical practice.” A pediatric surgeon is a type of specialist in pediatrics, for instance. The form -iatrics is based on -iatry,��as in psychiatry, which, of course, is also closely related to -iatric.

Learn about their specific applications in our �y��vlogs That Use articles for the form.

One term you may have come across that features the combining form -iatric is pediatric, meaning “of or relating to pediatrics,” the branch of medicine concerned with the development, care, and diseases of babies and children.

The first part of the word, ped- ,means “child.” As we have seen, the second part of the word, –iatric, refers to a “medical practice, treatment, or healing.” Pediatric has a literal sense of “healing children”—that is, children’s medicine.

What are some words that use the combining form -iatric?

• geriatric
• phoniatric
• podiatric medicine
• psychiatric

What are some other forms that -iatric may be commonly confused with?

• -hydric
• -iasis
• -iana
• -ical
• -ician
• -istic

The Greek ��é���Dz� means “old man” and helps form the word geriatric. Based on this root and the meaning of –iatric, what does geriatric refer to, generally speaking?