scientist

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsaɪəntɪst/ (UK); /ˈsaɪəntəst/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It was coined from Latin scientia (“knowledge”) (see science) and -ist by the Reverend William Whewell, on the analogy of artist, in the same paragraph in which he coined physicist.^[2][3] SOED also allows a formation from scientific and -ist.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

A person versed in or devoted to science: 1834.^[2][5][3]

Semantic evolution

Etymonline notes an isolated sciencist from 1778 and scientician in 1885;^[2] scientaster, a petty scientist, is by 1899.^[2] With a capital, a Christian Scientist, it is from 1875.^[5] The word now usually implies a physical or natural science.^[4][6]

Timeline

• 1778 – isolated sciencist.^[2]
• 1834 – scientist, coined by Whewell.^[2][5]
• 1875 – a Christian Scientist.^[5]
• 1899 – scientaster.^[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A person with expert knowledge of a science, especially a natural or physical one, or who uses scientific methods.
2. (usually Scientist) A Christian Scientist.

Word family

• nonscientist
• rocket scientist

Related words

• science
• scientific
• scientism
• scientistic
• physicist
• conscience

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin