( BrE ) ( NAmE ortho·ped·ics ) / ˌɔːθəˈpiːdɪks; NAmE ˌɔːrθə-/ noun
[ U ] the branch of medicine concerned with injuries and diseases of the bones or muscles
► ortho·paed·ic ( BrE ) ( NAmE ortho·ped·ic ) adjective :
an orthopaedic surgeon / hospital
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent. (originally relating specifically to children): from French orthopédie , from Greek orthos right or straight + paideia rearing of children.