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épidémiologie

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Etymology and origin of the French word épidémiologie

Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1855 Nysten More words from the 19th century
Ultimate origin
French épidémie,-logie

Pronunciation

  • /e.pi.de.mjɔ.lɔ.ʒi/[1]

Forms

épidémiologie f (plural épidémiologies)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French épidémie + -logie.[2][3][4][5][1] Littré glossed the second element by Ancient Greek λόγος (lógos, “treatise”).[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1855 in Nysten's medical dictionary, for the study of epidemics; the GLLF dates it to Littré, 1864.[2][3][5][7]

Semantic evolution

Littré defined it as research into the causes and nature of epidemics, and the TLFi as the study of epidemic diseases, how they spread and the means of fighting them.[6][2] In current usage the word covers more: the study of how ways of life, surroundings, social setting and individual traits affect the frequency, spread and course of diseases and of other biological phenomena.[4] It gave épidémiologique (1878) and épidémiologiste (1896).[5]

Timeline

  • 1855 – Nysten records the word.[2][3][5]
  • 1864 – Littré's dictionary includes it.[7]
  • 1878 – The adjective épidémiologique appears.[5]
  • 1896 – Épidémiologiste is first recorded.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Epidemiology, the study of epidemics, how they spread and how they are fought: l'épidémiologie de la grippe.[2][1]
  2. The study of how lifestyle, environment and individual factors affect the frequency, distribution and course of diseases or other biological phenomena.[4]

Word family

  • épidémiologique
  • épidémiologiste
  • épidémie
  • épidémique

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  7. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
Cite this entry

“Épidémiologie.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/%C3%A9pid%C3%A9miologie. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·