Best Answer: A PhD is a research based degree. Physicians are MDs, Medical Doctors or DOs, Osteopathic Doctors. So to become a physician, you do not need a PhD. Generally, PhDs are awarded in fields outside of medicine. Also, while NPs and Physician Assistants can prescribe medication, they only practice under the supervision of an MD or DO. That is, there are only two types of doctor.
Princeton's WordNet(4.75 / 4 votes)Rate this definition: 1  light, illumination(noun) a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination. 2  illumination(noun) the degree of visibility of your environment. 3  clarification, elucidation, illumination(noun) an interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding.
Definition of flare. 1  1a : a fire or blaze of light used especially to signal, illuminate, or attract attention; also : a device or composition used to produce such a flare The airport set flares to guide the landing plane at night.