arsts

Arsts (Latvian: ārsts) is the Latvian noun for a medical doctor or physician. In English-language texts it may appear without diacritics as arsts, but the standard Latvian spelling uses the macron over the a: ārsts. The term denotes a professional who diagnoses, treats, and manages patient health.

Etymology and related terms: The word derives from the Latvian root ārst- meaning to cure. Related words include ārstēt (to treat), ārstēšana (treatment), and ārstniecība (healing/medicine). The root underlines the close link between the term and medical care in Latvian.

Usage and forms: Arsts is masculine; the feminine form is ārste. In sentences one might say, for example, "Ārsts izsniedza recepti" (The doctor issued a prescription). In professional contexts, the title is used with a surname or as a standalone noun to refer to a medical professional.

Cultural and linguistic notes: In Latvia, the arsts is a central figure in the public health system, with doctors serving in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. The term appears in official communications, medical literature, and everyday speech, reflecting the established role of physicians in Latvian society.