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biométrique

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Etymology and origin of the French word biométrique

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1833 More words from the 19th century
Ultimate origin
French biométrie

Pronunciation

  • /bjɔ.me.tʁik/[1]

Forms

biométrique (plural biométriques)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French biométrie + -ique.[2][3][4][1] For the noun use “biometrics” the TLFi compares the English word biometric, recorded from 1902.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Rey and the Robert date the adjective, like biométrie, to 1833, when the noun meant “the study of the length of life”.[5][3][4] The TLFi's first record is from 1838, in the supplement to the Académie's dictionary published in 1842.[2][6]

Semantic evolution

With the old sense of biométrie fading, the adjective came to refer to the branch of biology that applies statistics and measurement to living things.[5][2] The feminine noun la biométrique, a synonym of biométrie, appears in 1928 in the Larousse du XXe siècle.[2]

In current use the adjective is common in identification by bodily features, as in passeport biométrique and identification biométrique.[7][4]

Timeline

  • 1833 – Biométrique recorded beside biométrie.[5][3]
  • 1838 – First record cited by the TLFi.[2][6]
  • 1928 – The noun la biométrique in the Larousse du XXe siècle.[2]
  • 1931 – The derivative biométricien in Plantefol.[2]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Relating to biométrie, the measurement and statistical study of living beings.[2][8][7]
  2. Using measurable bodily features for identification: une carte d’identité biométrique.[4][7]

Noun

  1. (biology, dated) Biometrics, the same as biométrie.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
  7. ^ a b c Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
  8. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Biométrique.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/biom%C3%A9trique. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·