Toward the theoretical study of terms

Although the study of scientific terms is gaining in importance and although it is sometimes claimed that the study of terms constitutes an independent discipline called "terminology", there has been little research into the essential perspective from which terms are to be examined. Against this background the author attempts to clarify the nature and status of terms and how the study of scientific terms should be envisaged. As a preliminary to the theoretical study of terms, the treatment of terms is contrasted with the linguistic study of words.