Talk:field

Meaning (4) is inaccurate
I came here from wikipedia, so sorry if my style is incorrect. The definition for Noun (4) (Physics) may not be accurate. Other sources I've seen including Wikipedia define it more abstractly, without using the word "force" -- which has a specific technical meaning in physics. My interpretation would be something like: A region of space in which every point is, or can be, assigned the value of a physical entity such as: temperature (a "scalar field"); wind velocity or magnetic force ("vector fields"); or more abstract theoretical qualities such as potential energy.

The important thing is that it's not the "region affected by a force" that's important, but rather a specific quality of the region. Temperature, for example, is a field (every point in a region of space can be assigned a temperature) which isn't directly associated with a force.

See:

field. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved March 4 2007 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/field

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalar_field#Uses_in_physics and  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalar_field#Other_kinds_of_fields

Etymology
Not to be connected with Cornish GWEAL[2] (arable field), that might be a pre-Celtic word of ultimate Ugric origin = Magyar FOLDE[4] (ground). English FOLD (ground) can only be derived from that word if assimulated by the Germanic tribes in the countries mentioned, from when the Finn-Ugric was spoken throughout that part of Europe. FOLM[1] (palm of the hand) is side tracking, but may be derived from the root of FOLD[5] (ply). (Danish inflected) Etymology3 of [mani]FOLD is linked with that of FOLD1[6]. Andrew H. Gray 21:24, 2 September 2015 (UTC) Andrew (talk)

[0] means 'Absolutely not; [1] means 'Exceedingly unlikely'; [2] means 'Very dubious'; [3] means 'Questionable'; [4] means 'Possible'; [5] means 'Probable'; [6] means 'Likely'; [7] means 'Most Likely' or *Unattested; [8] means 'Attested'; [9] means 'Obvious' - only used for close matches within the same language or dialect, at linkable periods.

mathematical & physical sense
a mathematical structure of some procedural formalism

Huntsmen
Chambers 1908 also has the noun sense "those taking part in a hunt" (i.e. a fox hunt or similar). Is this covered by our existing sense "all of the competitors in any outdoor contest or trial"? Is a hunt competitive? Equinox ◑ 03:47, 13 May 2020 (UTC)
 * I think so, “all of the competitors in any outdoor contest or trial” as a metonymy of “an area reserved for playing a game or race with one’s physical force”. Especially since those fox hunts are more gamified than other possible hunts (say hunting boars to control their population). But even with other hunts: If one hunts alone it is not competitive and one would not speak of a field; if multiple people partake it easily acquires competitive dynamics so one can talk of a field. Fay Freak (talk) 13:37, 13 May 2020 (UTC)

hold the field
To remain in control or a position of prominence. History has proved that those with an agenda of hate never end up holding the field for long. --Backinstadiums (talk) 12:26, 12 July 2021 (UTC)

What does "field" mean in the context of a "report field"?
When talking about reports, charts, and the like, how would one define field or a "report field" aside from maybe: "an entity or placeholder in a report or chart."

Example usage / context: HausaDictionary (talk) 22:04, 15 November 2022 (UTC)
 * 1) https://central.xero.com/s/article/Report-fields-for-practices-using-report-templates-UK-US-GL
 * 2) https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10062427?hl=en


 * Covered as “A section of a form which is supposed to be filled with data.” As I understand it, the defining characteristic of these report fields is that they are, by default, empty, and leave a blank space between other data. Also we are reminded of the German term  used in software which turns out to be field in the original. So emphasis has to be put on the “supposed” part in the definition, that these fields will change and be filled, by means of variables. But they are empty as long as the variable is not filled. Fay Freak (talk) 00:25, 16 November 2022 (UTC)

Some (old?) horse-race betting terms with "field"
John Camden Hotten's Slang Dictionary (1873) states:


 * "The field for a pony," means that the offerer will lay 25l. against the favourite, preferring the chances of a winner turning up amongst the others. "Ten to one on the field," means that the price named can be obtained about any horse in the race, that being the lowest figure or favourite's price.

Equinox ◑ 17:46, 8 December 2022 (UTC)