Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#118528 12/31/03 01:50 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Science/Nature section of my paper says today:

>Nineteenth-century philosopher William Whewell invented the word 'scientist'. Before that, the fitting descriptive terms were either 'man of science' or 'natural philosopher'.

>Whewell wrote on a wide array of topics, from mineralogy and geology to political economy and theology to architecture and mechanics.

>Among the other words he invented were 'anode', 'cathode', and 'ion'.

>He is best known today for his writing on the history and philosophy of science that led to debates with other 19th century philosophers. In the 20th century, critics of logical postivism rediscovered these writings.

So, 'tis it so?...the word stuff that is?

(and, hmmm, the philosophy of science, some here might find that a bit oxymoronic, to say the least. Must...resist...starting...another [duck-for-cover] philosphy thread. Let's try to stick to the word coinages here [ahem])


Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
The Online Etymology Dictionary agrees:
science - c. 1340, from O.Fr. science, from L. scientia "knowledge," from sciens (gen. scientis), prp. of scire "to know," related to scindere "to cut, divide." Modern sense of "non-arts studies" is from 18c. Science fiction first recorded 1929; abbreviated form sci-fi is from 1955.
scientific - 1589, from M.Fr. scientifique, from M.L. scientificus, from L. scientia "knowledge" (see science) + -ficus "making" + facere "to make." Originally used to translate Gk. epistemonikos "making knowledge" in Aristotle's "Ethics." Scientist coined 1834 by William Whewell.

http://www.etymonline.com/s3etym.htm
How is his last name pronounced?


Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
>pronounced?<

I'm pronouncing it HUE-wil. But it's the first I've seen it.


#118531 12/31/03 02:20 AM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
HUE-wil
you-well may have it...



formerly known as etaoin...

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 302 guests, and 2 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5