[vet.er.i.nary] adj [L veterinarius of beasts of burden, fr. veterinae beasts of burden, fr. fem. pl. of veterinus of beasts of burden; akin to L veter-, vetus old] (1790): of, relating to, or being the science and art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals and esp. domestic animals
[2]veterinary n, pl -nar.ies (1861): veterinarian