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Welcome to Lesson 174 of the Ecclesiastical Latin Reading Course. Today’s word is doctor, a third-declension masculine noun meaning “teacher.” While modern English uses this word primarily for physicians, the Latin original denotes one who teaches or instructs. In Catholic tradition, the title Doctor Ecclesiae (Doctor of the Church) is bestowed upon saints whose theological writings have illuminated the universal Church with exceptional wisdom and sanctity.
The Church has named thirty-eight Doctors throughout her history, including such luminaries as Saint Augustine (Doctor Gratiae), Saint Thomas Aquinas (Doctor Angelicus), and Saint Teresa of Ávila. To receive this title, a saint must demonstrate three qualities: eminens doctrina (eminent learning), insignis vitae sanctitas (outstanding holiness of life), and Ecclesiae declaratio (formal declaration by the Church).
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does “doctor” mean in Ecclesiastical Latin? In Ecclesiastical Latin, doctor primarily means “teacher” or “instructor,” deriving from the verb docēre (to teach). The word designates those who transmit sacred knowledge, most notably the Doctors of the Church whose writings guide Catholic theology.
Key Takeaways: The fifteen examples below demonstrate doctor across all grammatical cases, showcasing how the Church speaks of her great teachers. You will encounter the word in contexts ranging from liturgical prayer to theological discourse.
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Ecclesiastical Latin follows Italian-influenced pronunciation: -
Vowels: a=/a/, e=/e/, i=/i/, o=/o/, u=/u/; ae and oe = /e/ -
C before e, i, ae, oe, y: /tʃ/ (as in “church”) -
G before e, i, ae, oe, y: /dʒ/ (as in “gem”) -
TI before a vowel: /tsi/ (unless preceded by s, t, or x) -
V: /v/ (not /w/ as in Classical Latin) -
GN: /ɲ/ (palatalized, as in Italian signore) -
SC before e, i: /ʃ/ (as in “ship”)
For doctor: /ˈdok.tor/ — stress falls on the first syllable.
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174.1 Doctor teacher-NOM Ecclesiae of-Church-GEN fidem faith-ACC docet teaches
Doctor (/ˈdok.tor/) teacher-NOM Ecclesiae (/ek.ˈkle.si.e/) of-Church-GEN fidem (/ˈfi.dem/) faith-ACC docet (/ˈdo.tʃet/) teaches
174.2 Sanctus holy-NOM Thomas Thomas-NOM Doctor teacher-NOM Angelicus angelic-NOM vocatur is-called
Sanctus (/ˈsaŋk.tus/) holy-NOM Thomas (/ˈto.mas/) Thomas-NOM Doctor (/ˈdok.tor/) teacher-NOM Angelicus (/an.ˈdʒe.li.kus/) angelic-NOM vocatur (/vo.ˈka.tur/) is-called
174.3 Doctrina teaching-NOM doctoris of-teacher-GEN Ecclesiam Church-ACC illuminat illuminates
Doctrina (/dok.ˈtri.na/) teaching-NOM doctoris (/dok.ˈto.ris/) of-teacher-GEN Ecclesiam (/ek.ˈkle.si.am/) Church-ACC illuminat (/il.ˈlu.mi.nat/) illuminates
174.4 Dominus Lord-NOM doctori to-teacher-DAT sapientiam wisdom-ACC dedit gave
Dominus (/ˈdo.mi.nus/) Lord-NOM doctori (/dok.ˈto.ri/) to-teacher-DAT sapientiam (/sa.pi.ˈen.tsi.am/) wisdom-ACC dedit (/ˈde.dit/) gave
174.5 Ecclesia Church-NOM doctorem teacher-ACC sanctum holy-ACC honorat honors
Ecclesia (/ek.ˈkle.si.a/) Church-NOM doctorem (/dok.ˈto.rem/) teacher-ACC sanctum (/ˈsaŋk.tum/) holy-ACC honorat (/o.ˈno.rat/) honors
174.6 A by doctore teacher-ABL Augustino Augustine-ABL multa many-things-NOM scripta written-things-NOM sunt are
A (/a/) by doctore (/dok.ˈto.re/) teacher-ABL Augustino (/au.gus.ˈti.no/) Augustine-ABL multa (/ˈmul.ta/) many-things-NOM scripta (/ˈskrip.ta/) written-things-NOM sunt (/sunt/) are
174.7 Doctores teachers-NOM Ecclesiae of-Church-GEN veritatem truth-ACC defendunt defend
Doctores (/dok.ˈto.res/) teachers-NOM Ecclesiae (/ek.ˈkle.si.e/) of-Church-GEN veritatem (/ve.ri.ˈta.tem/) truth-ACC defendunt (/de.ˈfen.dunt/) defend
174.8 In in medio midst-ABL Ecclesiae of-Church-GEN os mouth-ACC doctoris of-teacher-GEN aperuit opened Dominus Lord-NOM
In (/in/) in medio (/ˈme.di.o/) midst-ABL Ecclesiae (/ek.ˈkle.si.e/) of-Church-GEN os (/os/) mouth-ACC doctoris (/dok.ˈto.ris/) of-teacher-GEN aperuit (/a.ˈpe.ru.it/) opened Dominus (/ˈdo.mi.nus/) Lord-NOM
174.9 Populus people-NOM doctori to-teacher-DAT gratias thanks-ACC agit gives
Populus (/ˈpo.pu.lus/) people-NOM doctori (/dok.ˈto.ri/) to-teacher-DAT gratias (/ˈgra.tsi.as/) thanks-ACC agit (/ˈa.dʒit/) gives
174.10 Libri books-NOM doctorum of-teachers-GEN in in bibliotheca library-ABL servantur are-preserved
Libri (/ˈli.bri/) books-NOM doctorum (/dok.ˈto.rum/) of-teachers-GEN in (/in/) in bibliotheca (/bi.bli.o.ˈte.ka/) library-ABL servantur (/ser.ˈvan.tur/) are-preserved
174.11 Fideles faithful-NOM doctorem teacher-ACC audiunt hear
Fideles (/fi.ˈde.les/) faithful-NOM doctorem (/dok.ˈto.rem/) teacher-ACC audiunt (/ˈau.di.unt/) hear
174.12 Spiritu spirit-ABL sapientiae of-wisdom-GEN doctor teacher-NOM impletur is-filled
Spiritu (/ˈspi.ri.tu/) spirit-ABL sapientiae (/sa.pi.ˈen.tsi.e/) of-wisdom-GEN doctor (/ˈdok.tor/) teacher-NOM impletur (/im.ˈple.tur/) is-filled
174.13 Summus supreme-NOM Pontifex Pontiff-NOM doctoribus to-teachers-DAT titulum title-ACC confert confers
Summus (/ˈsum.mus/) supreme-NOM Pontifex (/ˈpon.ti.feks/) Pontiff-NOM doctoribus (/dok.ˈto.ri.bus/) to-teachers-DAT titulum (/ˈti.tu.lum/) title-ACC confert (/ˈkon.fert/) confers
174.14 Octo eight doctores teachers-NOM primi first-NOM ab by Ecclesia Church-ABL nominati named-NOM sunt are
Octo (/ˈok.to/) eight doctores (/dok.ˈto.res/) teachers-NOM primi (/ˈpri.mi/) first-NOM ab (/ab/) by Ecclesia (/ek.ˈkle.si.a/) Church-ABL nominati (/no.mi.ˈna.ti/) named-NOM sunt (/sunt/) are
174.15 O O Doctor teacher-VOC sancte holy-VOC ora pray-IMP pro for nobis us-ABL
O (/o/) O Doctor (/ˈdok.tor/) teacher-VOC sancte (/ˈsaŋk.te/) holy-VOC ora (/ˈo.ra/) pray-IMP pro (/pro/) for nobis (/ˈno.bis/) us-ABL
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174.1 Doctor Ecclesiae fidem docet. “The Doctor of the Church teaches the faith.”
174.2 Sanctus Thomas Doctor Angelicus vocatur. “Saint Thomas is called the Angelic Doctor.”
174.3 Doctrina doctoris Ecclesiam illuminat. “The teaching of the doctor illuminates the Church.”
174.4 Dominus doctori sapientiam dedit. “The Lord gave wisdom to the doctor.”
174.5 Ecclesia doctorem sanctum honorat. “The Church honors the holy doctor.”
174.6 A doctore Augustino multa scripta sunt. “Many things were written by Doctor Augustine.”
174.7 Doctores Ecclesiae veritatem defendunt. “The Doctors of the Church defend the truth.”
174.8 In medio Ecclesiae os doctoris aperuit Dominus. “In the midst of the Church the Lord opened the mouth of the doctor.”
174.9 Populus doctori gratias agit. “The people give thanks to the doctor.”
174.10 Libri doctorum in bibliotheca servantur. “The books of the doctors are preserved in the library.”
174.11 Fideles doctorem audiunt. “The faithful hear the doctor.”
174.12 Spiritu sapientiae doctor impletur. “The doctor is filled with the spirit of wisdom.”
174.13 Summus Pontifex doctoribus titulum confert. “The Supreme Pontiff confers the title upon the doctors.”
174.14 Octo doctores primi ab Ecclesia nominati sunt. “The first eight doctors were named by the Church.”
174.15 O Doctor sancte, ora pro nobis. “O holy Doctor, pray for us.”
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174.1 Doctor Ecclesiae fidem docet.
174.2 Sanctus Thomas Doctor Angelicus vocatur.
174.3 Doctrina doctoris Ecclesiam illuminat.
174.4 Dominus doctori sapientiam dedit.
174.5 Ecclesia doctorem sanctum honorat.
174.6 A doctore Augustino multa scripta sunt.
174.7 Doctores Ecclesiae veritatem defendunt.
174.8 In medio Ecclesiae os doctoris aperuit Dominus.
174.9 Populus doctori gratias agit.
174.10 Libri doctorum in bibliotheca servantur.
174.11 Fideles doctorem audiunt.
174.12 Spiritu sapientiae doctor impletur.
174.13 Summus Pontifex doctoribus titulum confert.
174.14 Octo doctores primi ab Ecclesia nominati sunt.
174.15 O Doctor sancte, ora pro nobis.
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These are the grammar rules for doctor:
Doctor, doctōris is a third-declension masculine noun meaning “teacher.” Like other agent nouns ending in -tor (such as actor, pastor, creator), it denotes one who performs the action of the root verb—in this case, docēre (to teach).
Declension Pattern:
Singular: doctor (NOM/VOC), doctōris (GEN), doctōrī (DAT), doctōrem (ACC), doctōre (ABL)
Plural: doctōrēs (NOM/VOC/ACC), doctōrum (GEN), doctōribus (DAT/ABL)
Note that the nominative singular has no ending beyond the stem, while oblique cases show the full stem doctor- with regular third-declension endings.
The Genitive of Description: When doctor appears with another genitive (as in Doctor Ecclesiae or Doctor Gratiae), it forms a title of description. This construction is characteristic of ecclesiastical honorifics.
Common Mistakes: English speakers sometimes confuse the nominative doctor with the genitive doctoris, expecting a visible case ending. Remember: third-declension nouns often have nominatives that differ markedly from their stems.
Another error involves treating doctores as a singular. The -es ending in the third declension is plural, not singular.
Comparison with English: While English “doctor” now primarily means “physician,” this medical sense developed later. In Latin—especially Church Latin—doctor retains its original meaning of “teacher.” The medical term in Latin is medicus.
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The title Doctor Ecclesiae (Doctor of the Universal Church) represents one of the highest honors the Catholic Church can bestow. Currently, thirty-eight saints hold this title, having demonstrated exceptional holiness combined with theological brilliance.
The first four Doctors—Saints Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great—were designated the “Four Great Latin Fathers” and received formal recognition in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII. The four “Great Greek Fathers” (Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom) were added by Pope Pius V in 1568.
Each Doctor receives a distinctive epithet reflecting their particular contribution: Thomas Aquinas is the Doctor Angelicus for his luminous clarity of thought; Bonaventure is the Doctor Seraphicus for his ardent spirituality; Bernard of Clairvaux is the Doctor Mellifluus (Honey-tongued Doctor) for his eloquence.
Until 1970, no woman had been named a Doctor. Since then, four women have received the title: Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Catherine of Siena (1970), Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1997), and Saint Hildegard of Bingen (2012).
The traditional liturgy for Doctors includes the Gospel reading Vos estis sal terrae (”You are the salt of the earth”) and the Responsory from Sirach 15:5: In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus—”In the midst of the Church He opened his mouth.”
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The following text is the Responsory sung at Matins for the Common of Doctors, drawn from Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 15:5:
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
In in medio midst-ABL Ecclesiae of-Church-GEN aperuit opened os mouth-ACC ejus his-GEN
In (/in/) in medio (/ˈme.di.o/) midst-ABL Ecclesiae (/ek.ˈkle.si.e/) of-Church-GEN aperuit (/a.ˈpe.ru.it/) opened os (/os/) mouth-ACC ejus (/ˈe.jus/) his-GEN
Et and implevit filled eum him-ACC Dominus Lord-NOM spiritu spirit-ABL sapientiae of-wisdom-GEN et and intellectus of-understanding-GEN
Et (/et/) and implevit (/im.ˈple.vit/) filled eum (/ˈe.um/) him-ACC Dominus (/ˈdo.mi.nus/) Lord-NOM spiritu (/ˈspi.ri.tu/) spirit-ABL sapientiae (/sa.pi.ˈen.tsi.e/) of-wisdom-GEN et (/et/) and intellectus (/in.tel.ˈlek.tus/) of-understanding-GEN
Stola robe-ABL gloriae of-glory-GEN induit clothed eum him-ACC
Stola (/ˈsto.la/) robe-ABL gloriae (/ˈglo.ri.e/) of-glory-GEN induit (/ˈin.du.it/) clothed eum (/ˈe.um/) him-ACC
F-B: Natural Text with Translation
In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus, et implevit eum Dominus spiritu sapientiae et intellectus. Stola gloriae induit eum.
“In the midst of the Church He opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding. He clothed him with a robe of glory.”
— Responsory for the Common of Doctors, from Sirach 15:5
F-C: Latin Text Only
In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus, et implevit eum Dominus spiritu sapientiae et intellectus. Stola gloriae induit eum.
F-D: Grammar Notes
This passage employs the ablative of means twice: spiritu sapientiae (with the spirit of wisdom) and stola gloriae (with a robe of glory). The verb aperuit (third person singular perfect of aperīre) governs the accusative os. Note ejus (genitive of is) serving as a possessive adjective. The final clause uses induit (from induere, to clothe) with double accusative construction.
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The Catholic tradition of healing unites the spiritual teacher (doctor) with the physical physician (medicus). Christ Himself is called the Divine Physician—Christus Medicus—who heals both body and soul.
174.16 Christus Christ-NOM est is verus true-NOM Doctor teacher-NOM et and Medicus physician-NOM animarum of-souls-GEN
Christus (/ˈkris.tus/) Christ-NOM est (/est/) is verus (/ˈve.rus/) true-NOM Doctor (/ˈdok.tor/) teacher-NOM et (/et/) and Medicus (/ˈme.di.kus/) physician-NOM animarum (/a.ni.ˈma.rum/) of-souls-GEN
174.17 Doctor teacher-NOM aegrotos sick-ACC ad to Christum Christ-ACC ducit leads
Doctor (/ˈdok.tor/) teacher-NOM aegrotos (/e.ˈgro.tos/) sick-ACC ad (/ad/) to Christum (/ˈkris.tum/) Christ-ACC ducit (/ˈdu.tʃit/) leads
174.18 Infirmi sick-NOM a by doctore teacher-ABL sanantur are-healed
Infirmi (/in.ˈfir.mi/) sick-NOM a (/a/) by doctore (/dok.ˈto.re/) teacher-ABL sanantur (/sa.ˈnan.tur/) are-healed
174.19 Hospitale hospital-NOM sanctum holy-NOM doctoribus by-teachers-ABL fundatum founded-NOM est is
Hospitale (/os.pi.ˈta.le/) hospital-NOM sanctum (/ˈsaŋk.tum/) holy-NOM doctoribus (/dok.ˈto.ri.bus/) by-teachers-ABL fundatum (/fun.ˈda.tum/) founded-NOM est (/est/) is
174.20 Sacerdos priest-NOM doctorem teacher-ACC vocat calls ut so-that infirmum sick-ACC visitet may-visit
Sacerdos (/sa.ˈtʃer.dos/) priest-NOM doctorem (/dok.ˈto.rem/) teacher-ACC vocat (/ˈvo.kat/) calls ut (/ut/) so-that infirmum (/in.ˈfir.mum/) sick-ACC visitet (/ˈvi.si.tet/) may-visit
174.21 Manus hands-NOM doctoris of-teacher-GEN vulnera wounds-ACC curant heal
Manus (/ˈma.nus/) hands-NOM doctoris (/dok.ˈto.ris/) of-teacher-GEN vulnera (/ˈvul.ne.ra/) wounds-ACC curant (/ˈku.rant/) heal
174.22 Sacramentum sacrament-NOM unctionis of-anointing-GEN doctori to-teacher-DAT animam soul-ACC commendat entrusts
Sacramentum (/sa.kra.ˈmen.tum/) sacrament-NOM unctionis (/uŋk.tsi.ˈo.nis/) of-anointing-GEN doctori (/dok.ˈto.ri/) to-teacher-DAT animam (/ˈa.ni.mam/) soul-ACC commendat (/kom.ˈmen.dat/) entrusts
174.23 Religiosi religious-NOM doctores teachers-NOM pauperes poor-ACC curabant were-caring-for
Religiosi (/re.li.dʒi.ˈo.si/) religious-NOM doctores (/dok.ˈto.res/) teachers-NOM pauperes (/ˈpau.pe.res/) poor-ACC curabant (/ku.ˈra.bant/) were-caring-for
174.24 Medicina medicine-NOM corporis of-body-GEN a from doctore teacher-ABL spirituali spiritual-ABL non not separatur is-separated
Medicina (/me.di.ˈtʃi.na/) medicine-NOM corporis (/ˈkor.po.ris/) of-body-GEN a (/a/) from doctore (/dok.ˈto.re/) teacher-ABL spirituali (/spi.ri.tu.ˈa.li/) spiritual-ABL non (/non/) not separatur (/se.pa.ˈra.tur/) is-separated
174.25 Misericordia mercy-NOM doctoris of-teacher-GEN Christi of-Christ-GEN misericordiam mercy-ACC ostendit shows
Misericordia (/mi.se.ri.ˈkor.di.a/) mercy-NOM doctoris (/dok.ˈto.ris/) of-teacher-GEN Christi (/ˈkris.ti/) of-Christ-GEN misericordiam (/mi.se.ri.ˈkor.di.am/) mercy-ACC ostendit (/os.ˈten.dit/) shows
174.26 Puer boy-NOM aeger sick-NOM doctorem teacher-ACC bonum good-ACC invenit found
Puer (/ˈpu.er/) boy-NOM aeger (/ˈe.ger/) sick-NOM doctorem (/dok.ˈto.rem/) teacher-ACC bonum (/ˈbo.num/) good-ACC invenit (/in.ˈve.nit/) found
174.27 Ordo order-NOM religiosus religious-NOM doctoribus to-teachers-DAT hospitalia hospitals-ACC aedificavit built
Ordo (/ˈor.do/) order-NOM religiosus (/re.li.dʒi.ˈo.sus/) religious-NOM doctoribus (/dok.ˈto.ri.bus/) to-teachers-DAT hospitalia (/os.pi.ˈta.li.a/) hospitals-ACC aedificavit (/e.di.fi.ˈka.vit/) built
174.28 Salus salvation/health-NOM a from Doctore teacher-ABL caelesti heavenly-ABL venit comes
Salus (/ˈsa.lus/) salvation/health-NOM a (/a/) from Doctore (/dok.ˈto.re/) teacher-ABL caelesti (/tʃe.ˈles.ti/) heavenly-ABL venit (/ˈve.nit/) comes
174.29 Monachi monks-NOM et and doctores teachers-NOM simul together laborabant were-working
Monachi (/ˈmo.na.ki/) monks-NOM et (/et/) and doctores (/dok.ˈto.res/) teachers-NOM simul (/ˈsi.mul/) together laborabant (/la.bo.ˈra.bant/) were-working
174.30 Gratia grace-NOM Dei of-God-GEN per through doctorem teacher-ACC fidelem faithful-ACC fluit flows
Gratia (/ˈgra.tsi.a/) grace-NOM Dei (/ˈde.i/) of-God-GEN per (/per/) through doctorem (/dok.ˈto.rem/) teacher-ACC fidelem (/fi.ˈde.lem/) faithful-ACC fluit (/ˈflu.it/) flows
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174.16 Christus est verus Doctor et Medicus animarum. “Christ is the true Teacher and Physician of souls.”
174.17 Doctor aegrotos ad Christum ducit. “The doctor leads the sick to Christ.”
174.18 Infirmi a doctore sanantur. “The sick are healed by the doctor.”
174.19 Hospitale sanctum doctoribus fundatum est. “The holy hospital was founded by doctors.”
174.20 Sacerdos doctorem vocat ut infirmum visitet. “The priest calls the doctor so that he may visit the sick person.”
174.21 Manus doctoris vulnera curant. “The hands of the doctor heal wounds.”
174.22 Sacramentum unctionis doctori animam commendat. “The sacrament of anointing entrusts the soul to the teacher.”
174.23 Religiosi doctores pauperes curabant. “The religious doctors were caring for the poor.”
174.24 Medicina corporis a doctore spirituali non separatur. “Medicine of the body is not separated from the spiritual teacher.”
174.25 Misericordia doctoris Christi misericordiam ostendit. “The mercy of the doctor shows the mercy of Christ.”
174.26 Puer aeger doctorem bonum invenit. “The sick boy found a good doctor.”
174.27 Ordo religiosus doctoribus hospitalia aedificavit. “The religious order built hospitals for the doctors.”
174.28 Salus a Doctore caelesti venit. “Salvation comes from the heavenly Teacher.”
174.29 Monachi et doctores simul laborabant. “Monks and doctors were working together.”
174.30 Gratia Dei per doctorem fidelem fluit. “The grace of God flows through the faithful doctor.”
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174.16 Christus est verus Doctor et Medicus animarum.
174.17 Doctor aegrotos ad Christum ducit.
174.18 Infirmi a doctore sanantur.
174.19 Hospitale sanctum doctoribus fundatum est.
174.20 Sacerdos doctorem vocat ut infirmum visitet.
174.21 Manus doctoris vulnera curant.
174.22 Sacramentum unctionis doctori animam commendat.
174.23 Religiosi doctores pauperes curabant.
174.24 Medicina corporis a doctore spirituali non separatur.
174.25 Misericordia doctoris Christi misericordiam ostendit.
174.26 Puer aeger doctorem bonum invenit.
174.27 Ordo religiosus doctoribus hospitalia aedificavit.
174.28 Salus a Doctore caelesti venit.
174.29 Monachi et doctores simul laborabant.
174.30 Gratia Dei per doctorem fidelem fluit.
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This genre section highlights several important constructions:
Ablative of Agent: Sentences 174.18, 174.19, and 174.24 use a/ab + ablative to express the agent with passive verbs: a doctore sanantur (are healed by the doctor).
Purpose Clause: Sentence 174.20 demonstrates the subjunctive in a purpose clause: ut infirmum visitet (so that he may visit the sick person).
Double Nominative: Sentence 174.16 shows predicate nominatives: Christus est verus Doctor et Medicus (Christ is the true Teacher and Physician).
Genitive with Nouns: Multiple examples show the genitive of description and possession: Medicus animarum (Physician of souls), manus doctoris (hands of the doctor).
The Word Salus: This fourth-declension noun means both “health” and “salvation”—a beautiful theological point where physical and spiritual healing unite.
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Key Words from This Lesson:
Word IPA English doctor /ˈdok.tor/ teacher doctoris /dok.ˈto.ris/ of the teacher doctori /dok.ˈto.ri/ to the teacher doctorem /dok.ˈto.rem/ teacher (ACC) doctore /dok.ˈto.re/ by/with the teacher doctores /dok.ˈto.res/ teachers doctorum /dok.ˈto.rum/ of the teachers doctoribus /dok.ˈto.ri.bus/ to/by the teachers Ecclesiae /ek.ˈkle.si.e/ of the Church sapientiae /sa.pi.ˈen.tsi.e/ of wisdom gratias /ˈgra.tsi.as/ thanks
Common Errors for English Speakers: -
Do not pronounce “doctor” with English /dɑktər/; use pure vowels /dok.tor/ -
Remember that c before e or i becomes /tʃ/, as in Ecclesiae -
The ti before a vowel becomes /tsi/, as in sapientiae
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✓ Lesson 174 Ecclesiastical Latin complete
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