Online Science Dictionary
From LoveToKnow Online
When you're learning something new in the sciences, what often makes the difference between understanding and being utterly lost is knowing the vocabulary, and an online science dictionary can provide this vital knowledge.
Besides the following dictionaries, you should consider looking at some of the resources in our Online Latin Dictionary article. Science terminology is often based on Latin, sometimes Greek, so understanding the Latin roots can often help you figure out what words mean.
Online Science Dictionary Options
Online Biology Dictionaries
Though they're difficult to find, there are dozens of online biology dictionaries and encyclopedias, some more updated than others. For a good microbiology and evolution reference, try ISCID's Online Encyclopedia of Science and Philosophy, a wiki that's just been released as a beta. It's easy to research and clearly written, with short entries that are somewhere between encyclopedic and dictionary-ish. One of the best science dictionaries is KMLE Medical Dictionary which allows searching through multiple medical/biology dictionaries.
A very good online science dictionary is the University of Texas's Biotech Dictionary. It's extremely complete, and each entry is nicely cross-referenced with hypertext, so it's easy to do the research you need.
Online Chemistry Dictionaries
Good chemistry dictionaries are a little harder to find; most are on the incomplete side. There are a few really good ones, though. With an extensive dictionary as well as a periodic table and chemistry tools, ChemiCool has a goofy name but great resources.
A really fun online science dictionary is the Glossary of Archaic Chemical Terms. This dictionary lists archaic terminology for chemicals and chemical actions we know by different names today.
Online Physics and Math Dictionaries
Though it's a little elementary, the Light and Matter physics glossary has links to good online textbooks for a better depth of knowledge. Another good place is the Physics Dictionary at Feimer's Physics Page. Most physics dictionaries online are specialty dictionaries, and a good reference for finding specialty dictionaries is the AlphaDictionary Physics section.
Possibly the best math dictionary online is Mathwords, which covers terminology from algebra to calculus. It's very complete and includes diagrams where appropriate. Another excellent online math dictionary is the PRIME dictionary, which includes more elementary and more advanced topics than Mathwords. PRIME is also much harder to navigate and not quite as complete or thorough.
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Comments
Glad you found the resources listed in this article helpful, Bria.
-- Contributed by: Lorie WitkopI think this site for people to use who study physics or just doing Science homework is Awesome for all ages! I mean you have tons of resources but I would recommend everyone to use this its just outstanding! It kinda (to me) beats merriam- webster. There's are long vague ones. But there's here are short and long but still elaborative and easy to understand and apply to your everyday learning and omework or school work if your in college or something! Try It I 100% guaranty you Satisfaction for All!
-- Contributed by: Bria AdkisonIn addition to the physics dictionaries already mentioned in the article, Eric Weisstein's World of Physics and Tensen Physics Dictionary are two more options.
-- Contributed by: Lorie Witkop
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