galactique

Forms

galactique (plural galactiques)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek γαλακτικός (galaktikós, “milk-white, milky”),^[2][3][4] from γάλα (gála, “milk”) (genitive γάλακτος (gálaktos)).^[4][5] Wiktionary takes it through Latin galacticus (“milky”).^[1]

The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert treat the astronomical sense as a new formation on galaxie.^[6][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1782 in chemistry, in acide galactique “lactic acid”, in Guyton de Morveau's memoir on chemical names, with the sense “of milk”.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The chemical sense “of or from milk” is also recorded by Boiste in 1808.^[4][6] In 1877 the supplement to Littré's dictionary records the astronomical sense “relating to the Milky Way”.^[2][4] In the 20th century it came to mean “belonging to a galaxy”, and especially to our own Galaxy.^[3][7]

Timeline

• 1782 – Acide galactique appears in Guyton de Morveau's memoir on chemical names.^[2]
• 1808 – Boiste records it in the sense “of milk”.^[4][6]
• 1877 – Littré's supplement records the sense “relating to the Milky Way”.^[2][4]
• 20th century – It is used for “belonging to a galaxy”.^[3][7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Relating to the Milky Way.^[7][4]
2. (astronomy) Belonging to a galaxy, especially to our own Galaxy: un nuage galactique, les coordonnées galactiques.^[7][2]

Related words

• galaxie
• extragalactique
• lacté
• Ancient Greek γάλα (gála)

References

1. ^ a b c 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 c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert