ETYMOLOGIES OF TECHNICAL WORDS

Much of the technical vocabulary of the sciences and other specialized studies consists of words or word elements that are current in two or more languages, with only such slight modifications as are necessary to adapt them to the structure of the individual language in each case. Many words and word elements of this kind have become sufficiently a part of the general vocabulary of English as to require entry in an abridged dictionary.

Because of the vast extent of the relevant published material in many languages and in many scientific and other specialized fields, it is impracticable to ascertain the language of origin of every such term. Yet it would not be accurate to formulate a statement about the origin of any such term in a way that could be interpreted as implying that it was coined in English.

Accordingly, whenever a term that is entered in this dictionary belongs recognizably to this class of internationally current terms and whenever no positive evidence is at hand to show that it was coined in English, the etymology recognizes its international status and the possibility that it originated elsewhere than in English by use of the label for International Scientific Vocabulary:

Main Entry: mega.watt
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Main Entry: phy.o.ge.net.ic
Function: adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin phylogenesis . . .

Main Entry: -ol
Function: noun suffix
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from alcohol

 

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