horticulture
Meaning
the art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
Structure
Usage
she studied horticulture at the university to learn about sustainable plant cultivation.
the city's parks department employs experts in horticulture to maintain the public gardens.
his knowledge of horticulture transformed his backyard into a thriving vegetable plot.
Etymology
the word horticulture is a modern latin compound, formed in the early 17th century. it directly combines the latin root 'hortus', meaning 'garden', with 'cultura', derived from the verb 'colere' meaning 'to cultivate, to till'. the term was created to specify the branch of agriculture concerned with garden plants, as opposed to field-scale farming. thus, the literal 'garden cultivation' accurately describes the modern, specialized practice of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants.
Analysis
horti- from latin 'hortus' meaning 'garden'. culture from latin 'cultura', meaning 'cultivation, tilling'.