coefficient

Forms

coefficient m (plural coefficients)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French co- + efficient, literally “that which acts together with”.^{[2][3][4][1][5]} efficient (1290) is a borrowing of Latin efficiēns, a philosophical term, the present participle of efficiō (“to accomplish, to bring about”).^[6][7]

The TLFi, the Grand Robert and Rey date it to 1750, while Bloch and Wartburg give 1629, and the Petit Robert, the GLLF and Picoche the early 17th century.^{[2][3][8][6][4][9][7]}

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1750 Prévost's Manuel lexique records it as a term of algebra.^[2][8] Littré defines it as the number placed before an algebraic quantity that multiplies its value.^[5]

Semantic evolution

At first strictly scientific, the word took metaphorical uses around the middle of the 19th century (Hugo, Pierre Leroux), recorded by Larousse in 1866.^[8][9] It then came to mean a factor or percentage in everyday use and, figuratively, a constituent factor of a phenomenon (1883, Renan).^[8] In mathematics and physics it was specialized in many fields.^[8] Since the early 20th century it has also been the weight given to each paper in an examination.^[8]

Timeline

• 1750 – Prévost's Manuel lexique records it in algebra.^[2][8]
• 1866 – Larousse records figurative uses.^[9][8]
• 1883 – Renan uses it for a constituent factor.^[8]
• Early 20th century – First used for the weight of an examination paper.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. (mathematics) A number by which a quantity is multiplied, as each number multiplying a power of the variable in a polynomial: coefficient directeur (of a straight line).^[4][2][5]
2. (physics) A number characterizing a physical property of a body: coefficient de dilatation.^[4][9]
3. The number fixing the relative weight of a paper in an examination: Au concours, l'épreuve d'anglais a le coefficient 3.^[4][9][10]
4. (economics) A factor applied to a value.^[4]
5. A factor or percentage: coefficient d'erreur.^[4][9]

Related words

• efficient
• efficience
• Latin efficio

References

1. ^ a b c 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
10. ^ Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org