The name semiconductors makes perfect sense because not all substances conducts electricity readily. Some substances have to fulfill certain conditions for electric current to pass through them. They are called semi-conductors.
A conductor is a substance that allows the passage of electricity through it. They are usually metallic solids.
A non-conductor usually called insulators do not allow electric currents to go through them.
The presence of free mobile electrons in an body allows for electric conductance.
Silicon is a popular semi-conductor.
To accommodate substances whose conductance lies between those of conductors and non-conductors, the term semi-conductor is best to use.
