Silvics
/ˈsɪl.vɪks/noun
The study of the growth, development, reproduction, and environmental relationships of forest trees and other woody plants.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin silva, meaning “forest” or “woodland,” the same root behind sylvan and the older sense of savage as “of the woods.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sel-
“A proposed Indo-European root associated with wooded or wooded-place terms; the deeper origin of Latin silva is debated.”
Classical Latin
Latin
silva
“Forest, woodland, or a mass of trees.”
Late Latin
Latin
silvaticus
“Of the forest or wild woodland; derived from silva.”
Medieval French
Old French
salvage
“Wild, uncultivated, or belonging to the woods; a form that contributed to English savage.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
silvicus
“Pertaining to forests or woodland; a scholarly Latin formation from silva.”
Early 20th Century
English
silvics
“The scientific study of forest trees and their development, formed with the technical suffix -ics.”