clinicien

Forms

clinicien m (plural cliniciens, feminine clinicienne)^[1]

Etymology

It is from French clinique + -ien.^[2][3][4][5] Like the other derivatives of the noun, it belongs to the learned medical vocabulary built up in the 19th century.^[6] clinique is from Latin clīnicus, itself from Ancient Greek κλινικός (klīnikós).^[7][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded as a noun in 1838, and the Académie's supplement of 1842 lists it, for a doctor who works by examining patients directly.^[2][8]

Semantic evolution

Littré gives it both as an adjective, médecin clinicien, and as a noun, for the doctor who studies at the patient's bedside more than in his study.^[9] The GLLF defines the clinician in contrast with doctors who have no direct contact with patients, such as researchers or medical officials.^[8] The feminine clinicienne is in modern use.^[4][1] The TLFi also notes a figurative use for a perceptive judge of other people's troubles.^[2]

Timeline

• 1838 – First recorded, as a noun.^[2][3]
• 1842 – Listed in the supplement to the Académie's dictionary.^[2][8]
• 1852 – The related adverb cliniquement appears.^[6]
• 1866 – Clinicat “post of head of a clinic” is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. A clinician: a doctor who studies diseases and makes a diagnosis by examining patients directly.^[2][4][5]
2. A practising doctor, as opposed to a researcher.^[10][8]

Adjective

1. Practising clinical medicine: médecin clinicien.^[9][4]

Related words

• clinique
• cliniquement
• clinicat
• polyclinique

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 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 Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
6. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
8. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)