algébrique

Forms

algébrique (plural algébriques)^[1] Earlier algébraïque (1585 to the mid-18th century)^[2][3][4] and algébratique (1556).^[5]

Etymology

It is formed from French algèbre + -ique.^[2][5][6][1] It replaced the older adjective algébraïque, recorded from 1585 until the mid-18th century^[2][3][4][7] The Robert dictionaries also record a form algébratique in 1556.^[5]

The noun algèbre is from Medieval Latin algebra, from Arabic الجبر (al-jabr, “reduction, setting of broken bones”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi dates the modern form to 1740, in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux, meaning “relating to algebra”.^[2] The GLLF and Bloch and Wartburg date it to the 1743 edition of the same dictionary.^[8][4] The older form appears in the phrase en computation algebraique “in algebraic computation”, quoted by Godefroy from an Arithmétique.^[9]

Semantic evolution

According to Rey, the older algébraïque first applied to the earlier notion of algebra and meant much the same as “arithmetical”, before it came to mean “of algebra” in the modern sense.^[3] The modern algébrique spread with the mathematics of the 17th and 18th centuries and took over this sense.^[3]

In the middle of the 19th century it was also used loosely for “mathematical, very exact”, but this extended sense did not last.^[3] In mathematics it qualifies quantities and measures that carry a sign, positive or negative, as well as curves, equations, functions and numbers defined by algebra.^[10][11] The adverb algébriquement is recorded from 1782.^[10]

Timeline

• 1556 – The form algébratique is recorded.^[5]
• 1585 – Algébraïque appears.^[2][3][4]
• 1740 – The Dictionnaire de Trévoux records the form algébrique.^[2]
• 1751 – Last record of algébraïque in the TLFi's dating.^[2]
• 1782 – The adverb algébriquement is first recorded.^[10]
• mid-19th century – A short-lived figurative sense “very exact” appears.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Relating to algebra, done or obtained by algebra: le calcul algébrique, une courbe algébrique, un nombre algébrique.^[10][11][6]
2. (mathematics) Of a quantity or measure: having a sign, positive or negative: la mesure algébrique d'un segment.^[10][11]

Word family

• algébriquement

Related words

• algèbre
• algébriste

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
7. ^ Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org
8. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ Godefroy, Frédéric (1881–1902), Dictionnaire de l'ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IXe au XVe siècle, 10 vols., Paris: Vieweg / Bouillon, p. 8, 78
10. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
11. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)