Vets

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /vɛts/

Definitions

1. Professionals who diagnose and treat animal health issues ; people who have served in the armed forces, especially those honorably discharged ; to carefully inspect or check for suitability or accuracy
2. Animal health specialists who provide medical care to pets and livestock ; former members of the military who completed service ; to subject something to a thorough appraisal or background check
3. Those trained in animal medicine and surgery ; individuals who formerly served in military roles ; to scrutinize someone or something to verify qualifications or trustworthiness

Etymology: "Vets" is the plural of "vet," which is a clipping of two different words that happen to share a shortened form. The first is "veterinarian," the animal doctor, and the second is "veteran," a person who has served in the armed forces. The shortened form of each word was later applied to the other sense, so the plural now covers both animal doctors and former soldiers. The third meaning, to check something carefully for soundness or accuracy, may come from the first sense. It is thought to have developed by analogy with the older practice of examining an animal to verify it was healthy, so a "vet" in this sense is someone who inspects closely, much as a veterinarian examines a horse before a sale.

Synonyms: veterinarians, animal doctors