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géologique

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Etymology and origin of the French word géologique

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1797 Voyage de La Pérouse More words from the 18th century
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek γῆ,λέγω

Pronunciation

  • /ʒe.ɔ.lɔ.ʒik/[1]

Forms

géologique (plural géologiques)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French géologie + -ique.[2][1][3][4] The noun (1751) is a learned compound of géo-, from Ancient Greek γῆ (gê, “earth”), and -logie, from λέγω (légō, “to say”);[3] Medieval Latin geologia already existed in 1345.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1797, in the account of La Pérouse's voyage, meaning “relating to geology”.[2][3][4] The GLLF dates it to 1798 (Deluc).[5]

Semantic evolution

The adjective applies both to the science and to its object, as in couches géologiques “geological strata”.[3] From the scale of the earth's history it took a figurative use for a very long period of time.[5] The adverb géologiquement is recorded from 1843.[2][3]

Timeline

  • 1797 – First recorded in the account of La Pérouse's voyage.[2][3]
  • 1798 – Deluc uses it.[5]
  • 1843 – The adverb géologiquement appears.[2][6]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. geological: relating to geology or to what it studies: carte géologique.[6][2]
  2. Temps géologiques: the stages of the earth's history from its formation to the present.[7][6]

Word family

  • géologiquement
  • géologie
  • géologue

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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Géologique.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/g%C3%A9ologique. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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