algorithme

Forms

algorithme m (plural algorithmes)^[1] Old French augorisme (about 1220–30) and algorisme (13th century), also angorisme, argorism and agorisme.^[2][3][4] The spelling algoritme appears in 1554, but algorisme was still in use in 1690.^[2][5]

Etymology

It is inherited from Old French augorisme, later algorisme, refashioned in the 16th century under the influence of Ancient Greek ἀριθμός (arithmós, “number”).^[2][5][6] According to the TLFi, the Old French word is borrowed from Old Spanish alguarismo (“art of counting, arithmetic”), recorded from 1256–76 in the astronomical works of Alfonso X,^[2] and the DHLF and the Grand Robert also name the Old Spanish word;^[7][8] Wiktionary and the GLLF instead derive it from Medieval Latin algorismus.^[1][5] The DHLF sees the modern form as modelled on Medieval Latin algorithmus, itself altered under the influence of arithmētica.^[7]

The source of all these forms is Arabic الخَوَارِزْمِيّ (al-ḵawārizmiyy, “the man of Khwarazm”),^[1][2] the surname of the 9th-century mathematician al-Khwārizmī, from Khwarazm south of the Aral Sea, whose translated works brought Arabic arithmetic to medieval Europe; his name, taken as a common noun, is also behind algèbre.^[2][7][8] Littré reports an older view that took the word from the Greek word for number with the Arabic article, and prefers the derivation from the mathematician's name because it accounts for the ⟨g⟩.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Gautier de Coinci uses augorisme about 1220–30 for reckoning with Arabic numerals; because of the role of zero in that system, he also says he has become a cipher en augorismes, that is, worth nothing.^[2] A 13th-century computus explains that algorisme is the name for the system that uses the figures 9 to 1.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

In Old and Middle French algorisme meant reckoning with Arabic numerals and then arithmetic in general;^[2][9][7] Rabelais writes in 1534 of children who will grow great en algorisme.^[2][9][7] The expression chiffre en algorisme “a zero, a nobody” was still used by Jean Marot in the 16th century.^[4][2]

In the 19th century the word was narrowed to a set of explicit rules of operation: Bescherelle in 1845 defines it as the method and notation of any kind of calculation.^[2][7] After 1960 it spread widely with computing.^[7] English took algorithm from the French word in the 1690s, and its earlier algorism from Old French.^[10]

Timeline

• c. 1220–1230 – Gautier de Coinci uses augorisme for reckoning with Arabic numerals.^[2]
• 13th century – Algorisme is recorded in a computus.^[4][2]
• 1534 – Rabelais uses algorisme for arithmetic in general.^[2]
• 1554 – Jacques Peletier writes algoritme.^[2][5]
• 1690 – Furetière still has the form algorisme.^[5]
• 1690s – English borrows the word as algorithm.^[10]
• 1841 – The adjective algorithmique is recorded in Wroński.^[7]
• 1845 – Bescherelle defines it as a method and notation of calculation.^[2]
• After 1960 – The word spreads with computing.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. (mathematics, computing) A finite sequence of rules or operations applied to data to solve a class of problems: Ce programme applique un algorithme de tri.^[11][6]
2. The set of operating rules proper to a calculation or to a computer process.^[11][12][2]
3. (by extension) The chain of steps needed to carry out a task.^[11]
4. (historical) The decimal system of numeration taken from the Arabs, and the rules of elementary arithmetic.^[11][2][8]

Word family

• algorithmique

Related words

• algèbre
• Medieval Latin algorismus
• English algorithm

Usage notes

The word is spelt with ⟨i⟩ and ⟨th⟩, like logarithme, and has nothing to do with rythme.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s 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. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 19, 73a
4. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
5. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire du Moyen Français, version 2015 (DMF 2015), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/dmf
10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
11. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
12. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)