mèdic

Mèdic is a Catalan term whose primary meaning is “medical” or “relating to medicine.” It functions as an adjective describing things connected with medicine, healthcare, or the medical profession, for example centre mèdic (medical centre) or tractament mèdic (medical treatment). In some contexts mèdic can also be used as a noun to refer to a physician, but the standard noun for a doctor is metge. The feminine form of the adjective is mèdica.

Etymology: The Catalan mèdic derives from Latin medicus and is cognate with Spanish médico and French médecin, reflecting the common Romance heritage of medical terminology. In Catalan, the ordinary word for a medical professional remains metge, while mèdic appears primarily in compound terms and in more formal registers.

Usage: In healthcare signage, official documents, and medical literature within Catalan-speaking regions, mèdic is frequently used in phrases such as servei mèdic (medical service) or atenció mèdica (medical care). It is important to use the correct diacritic, as mèdic with the grave accent distinguishes it from forms without accents.

See also: metge; medicina.