non-scientifically
|non-sci-en-tif-i-cal-ly|
🇺🇸
/nɑnˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪkli/
🇬🇧
/nɒnˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪkli/
(scientifically)
not in a scientific way
Etymology
'non-scientifically' is formed by the negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') attached to 'scientifically', which comes from 'scientific' + adverbial suffix '-ally'. 'Scientific' is derived from 'science' + '-ic'.
'scientifically' derives from the adjective 'scientific' (attested from the 19th century), which comes from the noun 'science' (Middle English from Old French 'science'), ultimately from Latin 'scientia' meaning 'knowledge'. The prefix 'non-' was attached in English to create 'non-scientific' and then the adverbial form 'non-scientifically'.
Originally 'science' meant 'knowledge' (Latin 'scientia'); over time 'science' and related adjectives came to emphasize systematic, empirical methods. Consequently 'scientifically' came to mean 'in accordance with scientific method', and 'non-scientifically' now means 'not in accordance with scientific method'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner that is not scientific; not using scientific methods or lacking a scientific basis.
The policy was developed non-scientifically, relying on anecdotes and intuition rather than controlled studies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/21 04:09