dottore

doctor

noun doht-TOH-reh Less Common

Origin: From Latin doctor (teacher), from docere (to teach).

Usage Note

Dottore (f: dottoressa) is used both as a medical title and as a general title of respect for any university graduate in Italy — a lawyer or engineer may be addressed as dottore. In formal address, Italians use it without the definite article: Buongiorno, dottore. This broad usage can confuse English speakers who reserve 'doctor' for medical or doctoral holders.

Examples

"Il dottore mi ha prescritto un antibiotico."

Natural Translation

The doctor prescribed me an antibiotic.

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