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microscopique

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Etymology and origin of the French word microscopique

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1733 Fontenelle More words from the 18th century
Ultimate origins
Pre-GreekFrench -ique
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Ancient Greek μικρός (mikrós)
Latin microscopium
English microscope
French microscope
French microscopique
Spanish microscopio
The word's journey
From the same root
French microbe ← μικρός
English microscopic ← microscope
English microscopy ← microscope
French microscopie ← microscope

Pronunciation

  • /mi.kʁɔs.kɔ.pik/[1]

Forms

microscopique (plural microscopiques)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French microscope + -ique.[2][1][3][4] The TLFi first records it in 1733 in Fontenelle;[2] the DHLF, the Grand Robert and the GLLF date it about 1700, the GLLF also from Fontenelle.[4][3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Fontenelle wrote of observations Microscopiques, “observations made with a microscope”, in 1733.[2]

Semantic evolution

The first, scientific sense “made with the help of a microscope” is still in use.[4] In the 18th century it widened to “visible only under a microscope” (1754, Joblot), and then to “very small” in everyday use (1836, Stendhal).[2][4] A sense “having very keen sight, seeing only the small details” (1797, Chateaubriand) has disappeared.[4][2] In printing it named a very small type, after the type Henri Didot cut in 1827.[1] The antonym macroscopique was formed in 1865 by putting macro- in place of micro-.[4]

Timeline

  • 1733 – Fontenelle writes of observations Microscopiques.[2]
  • 1754 – Joblot uses it for “visible only under a microscope”.[2][5]
  • 1797 – Chateaubriand uses it of very keen sight.[2]
  • 1836 – Stendhal uses it for “very small”.[2][4]
  • 1865 – The antonym macroscopique is formed.[4]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (science) Visible only under a microscope, microscopic: des algues microscopiques.[6][2][1]
  2. (science) Done with a microscope: une analyse microscopique.[6][5][7]
  3. Very small, tiny: un appartement microscopique.[6][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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 e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
Cite this entry

“Microscopique.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/microscopique. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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