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REFERENCE

doctoral

adj.
US //ˈdɑktɝəɫ// UK //dˈɒktəɹəl// doc·tor·al
  1. 1 academic degree (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    relating to a doctorate, the highest degree given by a university.

    relating to a doctorate or the process of obtaining the highest academic degree awarded by a university.

    Example

    She is currently writing her doctoral thesis on ancient history.

    Example

    The candidate successfully defended her doctoral dissertation before a committee of international experts in the field of molecular biology.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies, such as 'thesis', 'student', or 'program'.
  2. 2 medical (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Medicine

    relating to a medical doctor or their work.

    pertaining to a physician or the practice of medicine.

    Example

    The hospital followed strict doctoral standards for patient care.

    Example

    The report highlighted several doctoral errors that occurred during the initial triage process at the rural clinic.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is much rarer than the academic one; in modern English, people almost always use 'medical' instead.
Origin

From doctor + -al, probably modelled on Latin doctorālis.

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