A Question of Translation

In many ways, my questions regarding prophecy is a question of translation.

Not only to understand what the term "nevua" literally means, but a more thorough recognition that our modern frame of reference is completely different from that of the early state of Israel. I don't naturally crave idolatry, nor does my culture. I don't imagine the planets and stars to be gods.

It could be that their conception of G was very different from my own. After all, we had very different evidences to consider. It's true that my science was built after theirs and with an awareness of  the failings of their sciences, but the raw data was the same. Their conclusions, though vastly different than ours, were still based upon their understanding of the world around them.

I wouldn't call them wrong per se, just different. It's like a different language. When the Rambam says the word "nevua" he has a scientific action in his mind based upon the Rambam's understanding of Aristotelian science - I'm trying to understand what a modern translation of "nevua" based upon our modern science would mean.

Practically speaking, what are we saying happens when someone receives nevua? Is it like an idea? Is it a term that chazal place upon one who uncovers basic truths? What role does prediction play? Could the psukim's demand for consistent prediction be an attempt to root their "predicters" in empiricism? Would a scientist with a hypothesis born out by experimentation qualify as a navi?

But there seems to be more to the navi than mere prediction. He seems to be rooted in Torah principles and engaged in studies of maaseh hamerkava (another term that ought to be better defined). He is considered a different field of study from the chochomim and dayanim. Yet he can gain special legal authority to violate biblical commandments in his era (but never avoda zara). Also, the Rambam brings down their ability to "find things" as somehow related to their abilities (perhaps some kind of connection to our modern detective stories - Sherlock and such?).

What was this practice of nevua? What does the term mean?