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microscopie

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Etymology and origin of the French word microscopie

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1832 Raymond More words from the 19th century
Ultimate origins
Pre-GreekFrench -ie
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós)
Latin microscopium
English microscope
French microscope
French microscopie
Spanish microscopio
The word's journey
From the same root
French microbe ← μικρός
English microscopic ← microscope
English microscopy ← microscope
French microscopique ← microscope

Forms

microscopie f (plural microscopies)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French microscope + -ie.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1832 in Raymond's dictionary.[2][5] The Grand Robert, the Petit Robert and the GLLF date it to 1836, when the Académie recorded it.[3][6]

Semantic evolution

Littré defined it as the art of using the microscope and the knowledge it yields.[7] In the 20th century it names the set of techniques of observation with the microscope, with new kinds such as microscopie électronique and microscopie interférentielle.[2] It belongs to the family of microscope with microscopiste (1749).[5]

Timeline

  • 1832 – First recorded, in Raymond.[2][5]
  • 1836 – The Académie records it.[6]
  • 1964 – Microscopie interférentielle is described as a new technique.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The techniques of observation with a microscope; microscopy: la microscopie électronique.[2][8]
  2. An examination made with a microscope.[2][9][4]

References

  1. ^ 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
  9. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Microscopie.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/microscopie. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·