Nautics

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The science and practice related to navigating, operating, and managing ships and other vessels on the water involves both theoretical and practical knowledge
2. This area of expertise encompasses the art and science of maritime navigation, vessel management, and safe operations over water bodies
3. The discipline concerning the navigation, control, and operation of watercraft including practical and theoretical aspects

Etymology: "Nautics" is simply "nautic" with a plural-looking "-s" added, and the "-s" is what makes it a noun for a field of study, much as "physics" and "mathematics" work. The base "nautic" comes from the same Greek root as the Ancient Greek "nautiká", which meant "navigation" or "seamanship", the art of handling a ship. The Greek root is "naus", meaning "ship", which also gave English words such as "nautical" and "nautilus". Those are ordinary descriptions of seafaring and sea-life, and "nautics" stands apart in naming the study of navigating a vessel.

Synonyms: navigation, seafaring