internist
UK: ɪnˈtɜːnɪst | US: ɪnˈtɜːrnɪst
n. a physician specializing in internal medicine, particularly the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of adult diseases.
internist = inter<within> + nist<agent noun suffix>
- inter (from Latin inter, meaning "within" or "between")
- nist (agent noun suffix derived from -ist, indicating a practitioner or specialist)
Etymology Origin:
The term internist emerged in the early 20th century, combining inter- (highlighting focus on internal bodily systems) with -ist to denote a medical specialist. Unlike surgeons or general practitioners, internists concentrate on nonsurgical, systemic adult care—reflecting the word’s logical division into "internal" + "specialist."
The internist ordered blood tests to diagnose the patient’s chronic fatigue.
As an internist, Dr. Lee treats conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
She referred her patient to an internist for a detailed evaluation of his digestive issues.
Internists often collaborate with specialists to manage complex cases.
After residency, he chose to become an internist to focus on preventive care.