# vet

Pronunciation: US say "VET" /vɛt/; UK

## Verb

1. To examine something thoroughly, especially in order to decide whether to give it formal approval.
   - Simple: To carefully check a person or thing before saying it is good enough to be approved.
   - _Editors vet every submission for accuracy before publication._
   - _The agency vetted all applicants for security clearance._

## Noun

2. A former soldier or other former member of the armed forces. *(colloquial, US)*
   - Simple: A person who used to serve in the army or another part of the military.
   - _Many vets struggle to find steady work after returning to civilian life._
   - _He's a decorated vet who rarely talks about the war._
3. A doctor trained to treat the medical needs of animals. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A doctor who treats sick or injured animals.
   - _The vet recommended a special diet for our aging dog._
   - _Farmers rely on a good vet to keep their livestock healthy._

## Origin

**Meaning 3** — A clipping of 'veterinarian'.
**Meaning 2** — A clipping of 'veteran'.
**Meaning 1** — Possibly by analogy from the first etymology, in the sense of 'verifying the soundness [of an animal]'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/vet (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).