Chiropodists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A medical professional specializing in the treatment and care of feet and lower limbs
2. An expert in diagnosing and managing various conditions affecting the foot, including skin and nail disorders
3. A healthcare practitioner who focuses on providing therapeutic interventions and preventative care for foot health

Etymology: "Chiropodists" is the plural of "chiropodist", and the word's ingredients are plain. "Chiropody" is the older term, built from Greek "cheir" (hand) and "pous" (foot), so the combination originally named a specialist in the hands and feet, though the foot became its main concern. The suffix "-ist" marks a practitioner, as in "dentist" or "pianist", so a chiropodist is one who practises chiropody. The Greek elements show up in many medical words, which is why the term looks more technical than it is. The "cheir" root also appears in "chiromancy" (palm reading) and "chirography" (handwriting), so the same hand-related root covers both foot care and fortune-telling.

Synonyms: podiatrists, foot specialists