How did the word 'x-ray' come to be?

It's one of the most feared medical conditions. But how did 'cancer' get its name?

In this month's Science Diction, we look at the origins of the word 'comet.

Science historian Howard Markel discusses the parallel origins of physician and physics.

A Naval officer coined the term 'antibiotic' in 1860, to describe his opposition to beliefs in alien life.

Historian Howard Markel discusses how clone came to refer to genetic creations like Dolly the sheep.

Robot was the brainchild of the Czech playwright Karel Capek, who introduced it in a 1920 play.

What is the origin of the word "atom?"

Scientists originally used 'radio' to refer to devices that employed electromagnetic radiation.

Unlike the stethoscope familiar to patients today, the original device was a simple tube.