Doctor

(döktür.) [L., a teacher.] Literally, a teacher or instructor in some particular branch of knowledge; or, a person who has pa ed all the degrees of a faculty, and has received a diploma to practise and teach the specific art or science it represents. According to the modern acceptation of the term, the title of D. applies only to those who have received the highest degree in the faculties of theology, sciences, law, and medicine. Itis conferred publicly with certain ceremonies, or by diploma, and originated in the 12th cent. at the universities of Bologna and Paris. In the U. States, the degree (except that of Doctor of Medicine) is conferred upon men eminent for their acquirements, without requiring them to pa any preliminary examination. See DEGREE.-(Script.) A doctor of the laws was, generally, one of the Pharisaical sect, who gave oral utterance to his opinions, thus differing from a scribe, which latter delivered his dicta in writing. [s. 295]