noun
physician in private practice; local doctor
Refers to a doctor who runs their own clinic in a town or neighborhood, as opposed to working in a large hospital. Still in modern use.
風邪をひいたので、近所の町医者に行った。
I caught a cold, so I went to a local doctor in the neighborhood.
noun
town doctor (historical); doctor serving commoners
Historical term for a doctor who treated townspeople, as opposed to serving the imperial court or a feudal lord. Not used in modern contexts.
江戸時代、町医者は庶民の健康を支えた。
In the Edo period, town doctors supported the health of the common people.
Compound of 町 (town) and 医者 (doctor). The historical sense reflects the Edo-period role of doctors serving commoners.