3

Is there a verb to the word science? Could you say sciencing (i.e. "in the Process of making/generating science")?

Of course there is the word research, which is both a verb and a noun. But in the noun form, "research" and "science" seem to differ a bit if you ask me.

|improve this question

closed as not constructive by simchona, Hugo, Mitch, kiamlaluno, MrHen Dec 3 '11 at 21:43

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, visit the help center for guidance. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

  • Do you have more context? – simchona Nov 29 '11 at 5:36
  • 1
    @simchona: No, I don't. It just occurred to me. – bitmask Nov 29 '11 at 5:56
  • 2
    Is this following the philosophy of "There is no noun that cannot be verbed?" – Gnawme Nov 29 '11 at 6:32
  • 1
    @Gnawme: At least that seems to hold for the noun verb. Language is weird :) – bitmask Nov 29 '11 at 7:21
  • 6
    "Verbing weirds language" Calvin & Hobbes – Wudang Nov 29 '11 at 9:26
3

It makes sense that there is no exact verb counterpart to the noun, since there are very many things you can do that involve science. Making a rocket and figuring out the chemical composition of something are both examples of science, but they are very different in terms of what kind of thing you are doing.

Some common ones might be experiment, study, invent, and investigate.

Or, playfully (read: don't put this in anything formal), I might do science.

|improve this answer
  • 1
    Both examples you give can be called research as well, and "doing science on them" could be expressed as researching them. So your statement why it makes sense that there is no such verb seems at least a bit far fetched to me. Did I perhaps miss some finer point? – bitmask Nov 29 '11 at 6:01
  • Making a rocket would not normally be considered research. (I'm talking about building one, not coming up with a brand new theory of rockets) – Jeremy Nov 29 '11 at 7:12
  • Oh, I see. Nevertheless, I still cannot relate to your argument. Anyway, doing science is probably the usual construction for this issue. But I like sciencing for its whimsicality. :) – bitmask Nov 29 '11 at 7:18
  • @bitmask Also, you can research something without doing any science. You can research a painter, research a paper for English class, research a raid boss strategy for World of Warcraft, etc. If you made a Venn diagram for research and science, they'd definitely have quite a bit of overlap, but neither one is contained wholly within the other. – Phoenix Nov 29 '11 at 10:52
1

There is a verb scientize, meaning ‘to make scientific; to give (something) a scientific character, basis, or rationale; to organize on scientific principles’ (OED). Not sure I’d recommend it, though.

|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.