micro-organisme

Forms

micro-organisme m (plural micro-organismes)^[1] Also written microorganisme.^[2][3][4]

Etymology

It is formed from French micro- + organisme.^[4][3][2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded on 11 February 1876 in the Journal officiel, in a text by de Parville, for a living organism visible only under the microscope.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

Littré's supplement soon recorded it as a microscopic organized being.^[6][4] By the 1890s it was used beside microbe in dairy science and veterinary medicine.^[4] The meaning has stayed the same; it covers bacterial, plant and animal organisms.^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1876 – First recorded in the Journal officiel of 11 February.^[4][5][3]
• 1895 – A treatise on dairy work equates micro-organisms with microbes.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (biology) A living organism, animal or plant, visible only under the microscope, such as a bacterium or a yeast.^[2][4][5]

Related words

• organisme
• microbe
• microbiologie

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g h 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
5. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette