science

Definitions

sci ('know') + -ence (state, quality) = 'the state of knowing' = knowledge. Latin scientia first meant knowledge of any kind. Over the last few centuries 'science' narrowed to mean organized, testable knowledge of the natural world — but the root claim, 'this is something we know,' never left.

Why It Means This

It helps to remember that 'science' once simply meant knowledge — that's why old phrases like 'the science of cooking' sound odd today. The modern narrowing to natural, experimental knowledge happened only as the scientific method rose to dominance in the 1700s-1800s.

Common Collocations

• 1.computer science计算机科学
• 2.political science政治学
• 3.science fiction科幻小说
• 4.branch of science科学的一个分支
• 5.modern science现代科学

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She has loved science ever since her first chemistry class.

• 2.

  Modern medicine is built on centuries of careful science.

• 3.

  Economics is sometimes called a social science.