horticulture
Definitions
The art and science of cultivating gardens — growing fruit, vegetables, herbs, and ornamental plants.
园艺；园艺学——栽培果蔬、香草和观赏植物的艺术与科学。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedhorti- (garden, from hortus) + cult (tend) + -ure = 'the tending of gardens.' Same template as agriculture, but the plot is a garden — so it covers fruit, vegetables, herbs, and ornamental plants grown with close, hands-on care rather than broad-acre crops.
Root hort still carries 4 more wordsWhy It Means This
The key to horticulture is the contrast with agriculture. Both mean 'tending,' but agri- is the open field (large-scale crops, machines) while horti- is the garden (smaller, intensive, hands-on). That's why horticulture covers flowers and ornamentals, not just food.
Common Collocations
- 1.study horticulture学习园艺
- 2.ornamental horticulture观赏园艺
- 3.horticultural practice园艺实践
Example Sentences
- 1.
She studied horticulture and now runs a plant nursery.
- 2.
Modern horticulture relies on greenhouses and drip irrigation.
- 3.
The university offers a degree in horticulture and landscape design.
Easily Confused
horticulture vs agriculture: agriculture is large-scale farming of staple crops on open fields; horticulture is the intensive, garden-scale growing of fruit, vegetables, and especially ornamental plants. Wheat = agriculture; roses = horticulture.