botany
UK: ˈbɒtəni | US: ˈbɑːtəni
n. the scientific study of plants, including their physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, and classification.
botany = botan<plant> + y<noun suffix>
- botan<plant>: Derived from Greek botanē (βότανη), meaning "plant" or "herb."
- y: A noun-forming suffix indicating a field of study or discipline (e.g., geology, biology).
Etymology Origin:
The word botany traces back to Greek botanē, which originally referred to pasture or fodder but evolved to mean "plant" in scientific contexts. The suffix -y (via Latin -ia) was added in the 17th century to denote the study of plants, mirroring the structure of other scientific disciplines. The term reflects the transition from practical agricultural knowledge to formalized plant science.
She majored in botany to pursue her passion for plant conservation.
The botany textbook covers everything from algae to flowering plants.
His research in botany focuses on tropical rainforest ecosystems.
The museum’s botany exhibit features rare medicinal herbs.
Early explorers often documented botany alongside geography in their journals.