geriatric
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
geriatric /ˌdʒɛrɪˈatrɪk/
▶adjective
- 1 relating to old people.
- 2 informal decrepit or out of date.
– origin 1920s: from Gk gēras ‘old age’ + iatros ‘doctor’, on the pattern of paediatric.
usage: Geriatric is the normal, semi-official term used to refer to the health care of old people (a geriatric ward). When used outside such contexts, it typically carries overtones of being decrepit and can therefore be offensive if used with reference to people.
'geriatric' also found in these Oxford entries:
