méthodologie

Forms

méthodologie f (plural méthodologies)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French méthode + -logie.^[2][3][4] The TLFi compares the English word methodology (1800) and the scholarly New Latin methodologia (1727).^[2] Rey thinks the French word may itself be borrowed from the English one, as méthodologique may be adapted from methodological.^[5] Etymonline, by contrast, derives the English word from the French one or directly from the Modern Latin.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi's first record is from 1829, in the correspondence of A. d'Herbelot.^[2][5] The Grand Robert dates it to 1842, and the GLLF to 1845 (Bescherelle), in the sense of the part of logic that studies the methods of the sciences.^[3][7]

Semantic evolution

Littré defined it as a philosophical term for a treatise on methods and the art of guiding the mind in the search for truth.^[8] The GLLF dates the narrower sense, the part of a given science that studies its own methods, to 1968 (Larousse), and the sense of a set of rules followed in carrying out a piece of work to 1972.^[7] The Petit Robert labels the loose use for any way of proceeding, a mere synonym of méthode, as improper.^[4]

The derivative méthodologiste is first recorded in Littré's Supplement (1877).^[2]

Timeline

• 1727 – Buddeus uses the scholarly Latin methodologia.^[2]
• 1800 – English methodology is first recorded.^[2][6]
• 1829 – First French record, in the correspondence of A. d'Herbelot.^[2]
• 1845 – Bescherelle records it as the part of logic that studies scientific methods.^[7]
• 1877 – Méthodologiste appears in Littré's Supplement.^[2]
• 1968 – Larousse records the sense “study of the methods of one science”.^[7]
• 1972 – The sense “set of rules followed in a piece of work” is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. (logic, philosophy) The branch of logic that studies the methods of the sciences.^[2][7]
2. The part of a science that studies its own methods, as in history or language teaching.^[2][4]
3. The set of rules adopted in carrying out a piece of work.^[7]
4. (loosely) A way of proceeding, a méthode.^[4]

Word family

• méthodologiste
• méthodologique

Related words

• méthode
• épistémologie
• English methodology

References

1. ^ a b 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 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ 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
8. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette