Which suffix denotes "specialist"?

The suffix that denotes "specialist" is commonly represented as "-ologist." This suffix is specifically used in medical and scientific terminology to indicate a person who specializes in a particular field of study or practice. For instance, a cardiologist is a specialist in the study and treatment of heart conditions, and a biologist specializes in the study of life and living organisms.

The confusion might arise due to the presence of related suffixes. The suffix "-ist" does indicate a person who practices or is concerned with something, but in medical contexts, it is less specific than "-ologist." Each "-ologist" is typically paired with a prefix that defines the specialization, such as "cardio-" for the heart, whereas "-ist" can refer more broadly to a practitioner or expert in various fields, without the same connotation of a defined area of expertise.

Thus, "-ologist" is the most precise choice for indicating a medical or scientific specialist, while "-ist" is a broader term.