naturalist
UK: ˈnætʃrəlɪst | US: ˈnætʃrəlɪst
n. 1. A person who studies or is an expert in natural history, especially zoology or botany.
n. 2. A person who adopts a philosophical or artistic approach emphasizing realism and observation of nature.
The word "naturalist" combines "natural," derived from Latin natura (birth, character, the physical world), with the suffix "-ist," from Greek -istes (agent noun suffix). "Natural" entered Middle English via Old French, originally describing innate qualities or the physical world. The suffix "-ist" denotes a practitioner, creating a term for someone who studies or advocates for natural phenomena. The modern sense emerged in the 16th–17th centuries alongside scientific exploration.
Charles Darwin was a renowned naturalist who revolutionized biology.
The museum’s exhibit was curated by a local naturalist specializing in bird species.
As a naturalist, she preferred painting landscapes directly from observation.
The book offers a naturalist’s perspective on climate change impacts.
His approach to photography reflects the precision of a scientific naturalist.