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 shade. 1  1a : comparative darkness or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of lightb : relative obscurity or retirement. 2  2a : shelter (as by foliage) from the heat and glare of sunlightb : a place sheltered from the sun. 3  3 : an evanescent or unreal appearance.