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polyclinic
noun
Examples of polyclinic in a Sentence
Word History
earlier, "outpatient department of a hospital," alteration, by conformation to poly-, of policlinic, borrowed from German Poliklinik, Policlinik, earlier, "clinic associated with a university where supervised medical students treat members of the town population," from Greek poli-, stem of pólis "citadel, city, community of citizens" + Klinik, Clinik clinic, after earlier poliklinisch, adjective — more at police entry 1
Note: The first such policlinic in Germany was apparently established in Heidelberg by the physician Jacob Fidelis Ackermann (1765-1815). Compare the mention in a contemporary journal (Intelligenz-Blatt der allgemeinen Literatur-Zeitung, no. 170, October 30, 1805, p. 1407): "Zu den vielen vortrefflichen Anstalten, welche unsere Universität … auszeichnen, kömmt nun, seit dem Anfange des Wintersemesters, ein ambulatorisches Clinicum für Heidelberg und dessen Nachbarschaft, oder eine sogenannte poliklinische Anstalt, unter der Direction des Hn. geh. Hofr. Ackermann." ("The many splendid institutions which distinguish our university have now been joined, since the beginning of the winter semester, by an outpatient clinic for Heidelberg and its vicinity, or a so-called polyclinic institution, under the direction of Herr Privy Councilor Ackermann.")
1884, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near polyclinic
Cite this Entry
“Polyclinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyclinic. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
polyclinic
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on polyclinic
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polyclinic
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