/ ˌdʒeriˈætrɪk; NAmE / noun
1.
geriatrics [ U ] the branch of medicine concerned with the diseases and care of old people
2.
[ C ] ( informal , offensive ) an old person, especially one with poor physical or mental health :
I'm not a geriatric yet, you know!
► geri·at·ric adjective :
the geriatric ward (= in a hospital)
a geriatric vehicle (= old and in bad condition)
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WORD ORIGIN
1920s: from Greek gēras old age + iatros doctor, on the pattern of paediatric .