Introduction
Words can have a variety of origins, from foreign languages to everyday activities. But did you know that some words in the English language are derived from scientific discoveries? From the discoveries of atoms to the study of electricity, these words were invented to describe the newly-discovered phenomena and have since become an integral part of the English language. Here are 8 words that came from scientific discoveries.
Atom
The word “atom” is derived from the Greek word “atomos,” which means “indivisible.” This word was first used by ancient Greek philosopher Democritus to describe the smallest unit of matter. In the 19th century, English scientist John Dalton used the term to describe his atomic theory, which stated that all matter is composed of small, indivisible particles called atoms.
Electricity
The word “electricity” is derived from the Greek word “elektron,” which means “amber.” This word was first used by English scientist William Gilbert to describe the static electricity created by rubbing two pieces of amber together. Since then, the word has been used to refer to the phenomenon of electricity in general.
Photosynthesis
The word “photosynthesis” is derived from the Greek words “photos,” meaning “light,” and “synthesis,” meaning “putting together.” This word was first used by French scientist Jean Senebier to describe the process in which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose.
Condensation
The word “condensation” is derived from the Latin word “condensare,” which means “to make dense.” This word was first used by Italian physicist Evangelista Torricelli to describe the process of converting a gas into a liquid.
Radioactivity
The word “radioactivity” is derived from the Latin word “radius,” which means “ray,” and the Greek word “activus,” which means “active.” This word was first used by French physicist Henri Becquerel to describe the process of emitting energy in the form of radiation.
Genetic
The word “genetic” is derived from the Greek word “genesis,” which means “origin.” This word was first used by English scientist William Bateson to describe the study of heredity and the transmission of traits from parent to offspring.
Kinetic
The word “kinetic” is derived from the Greek word “kinesis,” which means “movement.” This word was first used by English physicist Isaac Newton to describe the study of motion and its effects on objects.
Microscope
The word “microscope” is derived from the Greek words “micros,” meaning “small,” and “skopein,” meaning “to look at.” This word was first used by Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek to describe the device used to observe objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Conclusion
These 8 words are just a few examples of the many words that came from scientific discoveries. The English language is constantly evolving and new words are being added all the time. So the next time you come across an unfamiliar word, it might just be a product of a scientific discovery!