isométrique

Forms

isométrique (plural isométriques)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French iso- + -mètre + -ique.^[2][1][3] The first element is from Ancient Greek ἴσος (ísos, “equal”), the second from μέτρον (métron, “measure”).^[2][4][5] The Petit Robert and the Académie take the second element as -métrique.^[6][5] Raymond's dictionary of 1832 has it beside isométrie, an arithmetical operation that reduces fractions to the same denominator.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Raymond's dictionary records it in 1832 as a term of algebra.^[2] The Grand Robert, the Petit Robert and the GLLF date it to 1843 (Landais), in the mineralogical sense “of equal dimensions”.^[3][6][7]

Semantic evolution

In mineralogy it described crystals whose dimensions are equal, as Littré still defines it; the TLFi first finds this sense in Bescherelle (1845).^[2][4] In geometry perspective isométrique, a perspective whose axes are equally scaled, appears in the Larousse of 1902.^[7][3] In the 20th century it entered mathematics, for a transformation that keeps the distance between any two points (1959, Robert), physiology, for the contraction isométrique of a muscle that works without shortening (1959, Garnier and Delamare's medical dictionary; 1962, Larousse), and metrics, for a stanza whose lines have the same metre (1958).^[7][8][3][6]

Timeline

• 1832 – Raymond records it in algebra.^[2]
• 1843 – Landais records it in mineralogy, “of equal dimensions”.^[7][3]
• 1845 – Bescherelle has the mineralogical sense.^[2]
• 1902 – The Larousse records perspective isométrique.^[7][3]
• 1958 – First used in metrics, of a stanza with lines of equal metre.^[3][6]
• 1959 – Garnier and Delamare's medical dictionary uses it in physiology.^[8]
• 1962 – The Larousse records contraction isométrique.^[7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (science) Having equal dimensions: cristaux isométriques.^[2][3][5]
2. (geometry) Perspective isométrique: an isometric projection, in which the axes are drawn to the same scale.^[2][6][5]
3. (mathematics) Of a transformation: keeping the distance between any two points; see isométrie.^[3][7][9]
4. (physiology) Contraction isométrique: a contraction of a muscle in which its length does not change while its force increases.^[2][7][9]
5. (metrics) Of a stanza or poem: made of lines of the same metre.^[3][6]

Related words

• isométrie
• iso-
• -mètre

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 d e f g h i j Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
5. ^ a b c d Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)