Boson
/ˈboʊ.sɑːn/noun
A subatomic particle that follows Bose–Einstein statistics and can occupy the same quantum state as other bosons.
Did you know?The word was coined in honor of Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, whose name became attached to a whole class of particles after Einstein extended his work.
Etymological Timeline
1920s
English
boson
“A class name for particles obeying Bose–Einstein statistics, coined from Bose + -on.”
1924
English
Bose
“Surname of physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, whose work on quantum statistics inspired the term.”
1924
English
-on
“A particle-naming suffix used in modern physics, by analogy with words like electron and proton.”
Pre-1924
Greek/Latin
-on
“A common scientific ending in names of particles and substances, ultimately from Greek neuter noun endings.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bosa
“No established etymological source for the surname component in the scientific term; the particle name is modern and eponymous.”
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