scientific English · revision 3983

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1589|origins=la scientia}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌsaɪ.ənˈtɪf.ɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|scientifique]] or directly [[der|la-med|scientificus|t=pertaining to science, producing knowledge]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|scientia|t=knowledge]] and -ficus “making, doing”, from facere “to make, do”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*dʰeh₁-|alt=*dhe-|t=to set, put]].^(Etymonline) The Latin word was first used to translate Greek epistēmonikós “making knowledge” in Aristotle's Ethics.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) The OED remarks on its late appearance in English, given that Aquinas, Dante and Oresme used it.^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[science]] and [[scientist]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Concerned with the acquisition of accurate and systematic knowledge: 1589 in the OED and Barnhart, the 1580s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Its early use described the liberal arts as opposed to the mechanical arts.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of a proof, “producing knowledge, demonstrative”, it is from 1637.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) “Guided by the principles of science”, and so “learned, skilful”, is from the 1670s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “of or used in science” from 1722,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and “according to the rules of science, systematic” from 1794.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In the United States it was used of Christian Science (1875).^(OED 1989) ''Scientist'' was formed in 1834.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1589 – concerned with science.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1637 – of a proof.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1678 – based on science.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1722 – of science.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1794 – systematic.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1834 – ''scientist''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or used in [[science]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Following the methods or principles of science; systematic and exact.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scientifically]]

+ * [[quasi-scientific]]

+ * [[antiscientific]]

+ * [[counterscientific]]

+ * [[nonscientific]]

+ * [[prescientific]]

+ * [[scientize]]

+ * [[superscientific]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[science]]

+ * [[scientist]]

+ * [[conscience]]

+ * [[nescience]]

+ * [[-fic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}