What is Terminology: Definition and 179 Discussions

Terminology is a general word for the group of specialized words or meanings relating to a particular field, and also the study of such terms and their use. This is also known as terminology science. Terms are words and compound words or multi-word expressions that in specific contexts are given specific meanings—these may deviate from the meanings the same words have in other contexts and in everyday language. Terminology is a discipline that studies, among other things, the development of such terms and their interrelationships within a specialized domain. Terminology differs from lexicography, as it involves the study of concepts, conceptual systems and their labels (terms), whereas lexicography studies words and their meanings.
Terminology is a discipline that systematically studies the "labelling or designating of concepts" particular to one or more subject fields or domains of human activity. It does this through the research and analysis of terms in context for the purpose of documenting and promoting consistent usage. Terminology can be limited to one or more languages (for example, "multilingual terminology" and "bilingual terminology"), or may have an interdisciplinarity focus on the use of terms in different fields.

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  1. A

    B Terminology for motion in the solar system, ecliptic maybe?

    Just looking for terminology here. If an object moves through the solar system, what is the simplest terminology that relates to how the object moves through the solar system? What are the words for if an object moves towards the sun (radially inwards) away from the sun (radially outwards)...
  2. starstruck_

    I The Nuances of Truth in Axioms and Premises

    Hey everyone, I’m taking my first discrete math course this term and am kind of struggling with determining the difference between different terminology. As the title says, it’s specifically with premises and axioms. My professor’s notes begin with an introduction to premises as one of the two...
  3. PhysicsTest

    Understanding of Voltage potential

    I am bit confused with voltage potential terminology again to basics When it is referred as Voa it is Voltage of "o" wrt "a". Is it correct? But other major question is as per the document I would have written KVL as Voa - I1 * Z = Vn. I am really confused with notation used.
  4. R

    MCNP terminology question -- Effective Full Power Days (EFPDs)

    for MCNP users, i would like to ask about terminologies: if i depleted a fuel assembly under constant power, is the number of days in the out can be used as Effective Full Power Days (EFPDs), or this term has another specific meaning?
  5. BillTre

    Parallel-ish Theories Terminology

    What is it called went to different theories (or kinds of theories, apparently) overlap in their explanations over major parts of their explanatory field and you want to talk about the area of overlap in the phenomena they explain? Classic examples: Newtonian physics vs. relativity, similar...
  6. P

    A Clarifying Fradkin's Terminology on Quantum Numbers of Gauge Groups

    Hi, I'd like to clarify the following terminology (Fradkin, Quantum Field Theory an integrated approach) "carry the quantum numbers of the representation of the gauge group": Does the author basically mean that the wilson loop is a charged operator, in a sense that it transforms non-trivially...
  7. vanhees71

    I Help with translation of terminology concerning the spinning top

    Has anybody a translation for the various cones describing the motion of the free symmetric top? The German expressions are "Nutationskegel" (space-fixed cone via the precession of the body-fixed symmetry axis ##\vec{e}_3'##) , and "Rastpolkegel" (space-fixed cone via the precession of the...
  8. S

    Origins and Usage of the Term 'Truck Farm': A Linguistic Analysis

    USA high school textbooks of the 1960's used the terminology "truck farms" to describe economic activity in parts of country. I gather the terminology is still used. Is it used in other English speaking countries? I visualize a "truck farm" as small farming operation where the owner...
  9. S

    B The terminology "G is only a function of...."

    If we have a set of variables ##x_1, x_2, ...x_n ## what does it mean to say that "##G## is only a function of ##x_1,x_2,x_3##"? My thoughts: Context 1: The function ##G## has been previously defined. In Context 1, saying "##G## is only a function of ##x_1,x_2,x_3##" means the same thing as...
  10. E

    Flux Terminology: Scalar Flux vs. Flux Density in Different Contexts

    Forgive me if a similar thread has been posted before... I was doing some questions and I just noticed an apparent discrepancy in how the term "flux" is thrown around. In the context of surface integrals, the scalar result is usually termed the flux whilst the vector field is termed the flux...
  11. N

    A (very simple) question about terminology in electrical circuits

    I am writing tutorials for my students on electrical circuits and I realized that in English I may have been using incorrect terminology (I also teach in French). When I describe circuits, I like to have a term for a section of a circuit that goes from one node to another node and with no...
  12. Wrichik Basu

    I Clarification of accelerator physics terminology

    I have been reading some papers on accelerator physics recently, especially those on the LHC and the upcoming FCC-hh. As a beginner, I am not supposed to know everything, but there are a few terms that I feel I have to know in order to penetrate further into this field. Unfortunately Google...
  13. E

    B Understanding Phase Terminology in Wave Functions: A Guide

    Almost everywhere I've looked uses the term phase in different contexts, so I was wondering if someone could let me know whether I've used the right terminology for the different concepts. For a wave ##y = A\sin(kx-\omega t + \varphi)##, I was under the impression that The phase, ##\phi =...
  14. Q

    'Thought Provoking' Request: UnOptimal ContinuumMechanics Terminology?

    A) I understand that an 'Ideal Fluid' Describe Behavior of Matter in Phase States of liquid/gas and sometimes Bulk-Solid: -continually deform under applied shear stress or external force -usually zero shear modulus -behavior can further be specified by Constitutive Material model for that fluid...
  15. nomadreid

    Terminology question: "so-called"

    Not sure if this is the proper rubric under which to put the question, so if a monitor wishes to move it or even remove it, I will understand. I am proof-reading a mathematics manuscript, and the author (non-native speaker of English) keeps using the word "so-called" in places where I might put...
  16. S

    I Why the different terminology: Sequence versus Series?

    One can have a progression and it is called a Sequence. One can sum the terms in a sequence or progression, and this is called a Series. Why those terms like that; or why those two different terminologies? Was it decided just to pick a word Series so as to avoid the need to use Sum Of the...
  17. nomadreid

    I Terminology: equation collapse

    This is more a terminology than a conceptual question. I am proof-reading a paper (by a non-native speaker) in which the statement occurs: " the solution of the Navier–Stokes equation collapses within a finite time into simple nonlinear waves" Is this a possible phrasing? I am familiar with...
  18. D

    Need a proper mathematical name

    Consider a circle with a chordal line dividing the area into two unequal parts. It seems to be accepted practice to call the smaller of these parts a circular segment. Is there a generally accepted name for the larger area? I've been writing some material where this geometry arises, and I've...
  19. ohwilleke

    B Why is there still disagreement over the b quark's name?

    Some physics papers today describe the b quark as a beauty quark. For example: Others physics papers today refer to b quarks as bottom quarks. For example: The b quark is a particle that was theoretically predicted to exist in 1973 and first observed experimentally in 1977. But, here we...
  20. DrGreg

    I Cartesian and polar terminology

    I have a scalar quantity ##V## (let's call it a voltage for concreteness) that is a function of angle ##\theta##. There are two obvious ways to plot it, as a Cartesian plot (see A above) or as a polar plot (see B). I can also express the polar plot in terms of Cartesian coordinates ##V_x = V \...
  21. N

    Formal term for cross-polarization effect

    Hi everyone, A friend of mine attending university in Japan is trying to write a paper in English discussing the effect that occurs when looking at a screen through polarized sun glasses (i.e. it looks dark or black). She is looking for a formal term that specifically addresses the screen...
  22. nomadreid

    I What is the Term for ds in Spacetime Interval Equation?

    In the usual relativistic equation, ds2 = (cdt)2 - dx2 - dy 2 -dz2 or dx2 + dy 2 + dz2 - (cdt)2, depending on the convention of your choice, and ds2 is called the spacetime interval between the corresponding events, the square being used to avoid nasty ambiguities and irritating imaginary...
  23. F

    B What is the Definition of Improper Time in Special Relativity?

    Hi all, this is just a terminology question. I am aware of the definition of "proper time" (and "proper length") in the context of special relativity. I recently heard the term "improper time", as opposed to proper time, of course. Is that accepted terminology? Sounds weird to me.
  24. R

    Chemical terminology for an electron in water

    I've read several papers that talk about electrons in water, clearly they don't last very long as they react quickly with the oxygen. But I'm confused about the terminology they use, some call them solvated electrons, some hydrated electrons and others aquated electrons. I can't seem to find a...
  25. Ryan Doucette

    Nuclear Fusion: Electron Thermal Transport Terminology

    I am an undergrad physics major in my final semester currently taking Intro to Thermodynamics. As a final project, each student must choose a topic related to thermodynamics that is more advanced than what is covered in the curriculum and write a paper and present our findings to the class on...
  26. S

    I What is difference between transformations and automorphisms

    Could you please help me to understand what is the difference between notions of «transformation» and «automorphism» (maybe it is more correct to talk about «inner automorphism»), if any? It looks like those two terms are used interchangeably. By «transformation» I mean mapping from some set...
  27. P

    Help me find the modern terminology for an old philosophical concept

    There used to be a term called 'logical space' where objects have their properties (or facts) defined by their relation to other objects in said 'logical space' along with their potential modalities included in this sort of 'space'. Here is the definition provided here: I've heard the modern...
  28. S

    I Terminology involving "homomorphic"

    I notice several current Wikipedia articles on "homomorphism" avoid using the adjective "homomorphic". (e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_homomorphism , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homomorphism). Of course the problem with saying "A and B are homomorphic" is that there can be a...
  29. Mr Davis 97

    I What is the Definition of a Relation in Set Theory?

    I have an exercise in my set theory book that states the following: Show that a set ##A## is a relation iff ##A \subseteq \operatorname{dom} A\times \operatorname{ran} B##. This is an easy exercise, so I am not asking how to prove it. However, I am confused about one thing. The forward...
  30. rumborak

    What is some of the worst terminology you have seen?

    I assume everybody here has seen terminology in their own field or others that produced a groan upon seeing it for the first time. My "favorite" is in signal processing. There is a common audio transformation that does a Fourier analysis, takes the absolute value at each frequency, and then the...
  31. Robert Webb

    Entropy: why measure disorder?

    Something I've always wondered: why do we measure the amount of disorder (entropy) rather than the amount of order? We don't measure brightness by the amount of "dark". Surely order is the thing of interest, so why don't we measure that rather than measuring the absence of it? And in...
  32. B

    MHB Calculating Cost/Pallet for 5 Months: Terminology & Formula

    Hi, I am working on building some excel spreadsheets, and need to know the terminology for a math process to help with building formulas. This is the situation I'm working on: I am charged \$10/pallet of goods per month. I order 10 pallets of material, of which 2 pallets every month are...
  33. P

    Understanding laser power terminology

    I see that many LIDAR systems use power in the millijoule range in atmospheric research. A typical number is 25 millijoules. 25 millijoules is equal to 25 milliwatt/seconds. This means 25 milliwatts for one second. This seems like a tiny amount of power, yet a 25 millijoule laser costs many...
  34. I

    Is Action Potential Terminology Applicable Beyond Neural Processes?

    Hello, I noticed that in Wikipedia, action potential is not solely defined as a neural process, but rather as a process that happens between any cells that can release chemical signals and have target cells that can receive the signals. Is this true? Would we say that endocrine system creates...
  35. AndyCh

    B Some questions about terminology

    I thought this would be the most logical way to post this, but give me some grace if it is not because this is my first time posting on this site (then relinquish the grace and tell me how to do it properly haha). First: When a physics problem says "sliding past point P" does that mean it stops...
  36. S

    A What Drives the Naming and Structure of One-Particle Irreducible Diagrams?

    One-particle irreducible diagrams are diagrams that cannot be broken into two disconnected diagrams by cutting an internal propagator.1. Why are the external lines on an one-particle irreducible diagram truncated/amputated? 2. What is the motivation for the word 'one-particle' in the terminology?
  37. Mr Davis 97

    I Terminology for Substructures in Vector Spaces

    My textbook gives the following definition: "A subset W of a vector space V over a field F is called a subspace of V if W is a vector space over F with the operations of addition and scalar multiplication." I understand the definition, and subspaces in general, but am a little confused when it...
  38. R

    Terminology, pressure of gas in fluid (quick question)

    Would it be correct to say the following... CO2 for example can change the surface tension of water from 72 mN m−1 to 57 mN m−1 as its pressure changes from 1 to 11 bar. I'm used to dealing with concentrations, in fact I would like to change bar to volume percent if anyone has a free moment...
  39. I

    Is there a common name for protective layer of an organism?

    Hello, is there a common name/word/terminology for any protective layers on an organism, for example, skin on humans, bark on a tree, etc?
  40. P

    B Are universe and big bang considered to be the same thing?

    Do professionals use the term universe to mean what was created in the big bang?
  41. wrobel

    I A question on terminology

    Assume we have two coordinate frames ##Oxyz, O'x'y'z'## the first one is fixed and the second one somehow moves, perhaps rotates. Then velocity of a point relative ##Oxyz## is ##\boldsymbol v=\boldsymbol v_r+\boldsymbol v_e,## where ##\boldsymbol v_r## is point's velocity relative...
  42. Sean Jackson 01

    I What is the correct terminology for intensity and effort in exercise?

    Hello all, Great site...such a cool resource. I am a fitness coach...as in any profession basing what we do on solid science is vital...and exercise practice goes "some way" to doing this...but it has its flaws. Hopefully a coach will talk about work, power and torque etc correctly, and have...
  43. V

    Some questions on terminology (for native English speakers)

    Hello! I am a beginner in English terminology. I know that direct current is a flow of electricity that moves in one direction only (i.e. does not change its direction). I also know that alternating current is an electric current that reverses direction at regular intervals. However, I cannot...
  44. F

    I What is meant by the terminology "single particle state"?

    I'm currently reading through a set of notes on statistical mechanics, and when it comes to deriving the Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions it uses the terminology single-particle state. By this, is it meant that if the particles can be assumed independent, then each particle can be...
  45. P

    Terminology for rotating shaft with blades?

    Technical terminology: what’s it called? A cylindrical shaft which rotates in a fluid medium and carries a set of radially-arranged blades (?splines) attached by hinges. The blades fold flat against the shaft when it rotates in one direction (say clockwise) but they sweep out automatically to...
  46. dextercioby

    A Explanation of terminology: electroweak

    I'm not a specialist in this subject, so bear with me. I've always wondered why one claims that the electromagnetic and weak interactions are unified, but the strong one with the (unified) other two is not. Mathematically, I'm aware that the full gauge group of the SM is ## U(1) \times SU(2)...
  47. Dr Wu

    Non-Scale Terminology Query

    I understand there's a term (which I can no longer recall) for the kind of modelling that cannot accurately scale an item in all its ratios. A classic example are those standard images one sees of the solar system. One might get the distances between the planets right, but unless a room the size...
  48. I

    Brain structure terminology consensus?

    I am wondering if there is any consensus on the structure terminology of the brain. 1 - I've heard that the brain has the reptilian, mammalian(limbic) and neocortex parts that overall perform specific functions and evolved in that order. - On that note, would reptiles have had any really...
  49. D

    What is the meaning of the term "dual"?

    Apologies if this is a really trivial question, but I've never been quite sure as to the usage of the terminology dual space. I get that given a vector space ##V## we can construct a set of linear functionals that map ##V## into its underlying field and that these linear functionals themselves...
  50. A

    Confusion With Blackbody Radiation

    A blackbody is a theoretical object that perfectly absorbs all the light that falls on it. From what I understand this is an ideal situation and does not actually exist in reality. Certain objects are close to being a blackbody but they do not absorb 100% of the light that hits it (i.e. some...
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