Scientific
/ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/noun
Relating to or based on systematic study and evidence.
Did you know?Scientific ultimately comes from Latin *scientia* (“knowledge”), from *scīre* (“to know”), the same ancient root that also gave English *conscience* and *conscious*—words built around awareness and knowing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skei-
“to cut, split; later extended in some branches to ‘discern, separate mentally’”
Latin
Latin
scīre
“to know, understand”
Latin
Latin
scientia
“knowledge, skill, expertise”
Late Latin
Latin
scientificus
“causing knowledge; producing knowledge”
Old French
Old French
scientifique
“scientific, learned”
Middle English
English
scientific
“pertaining to knowledge or learning”
Modern English
English
scientific
“based on or relating to systematic knowledge and evidence”
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