optométrie

Forms

optométrie f (plural optométries)^[1]

Etymology

The TLFi forms it from the elements from French opto- + -métrie.^[2] The Grand Robert, the GLLF, the Petit Robert and Wiktionary derive it instead from French optomètre + -ie.^[3][4][5][1] The instrument name (1855) is formed of the same first element and -mètre, compare the English word optometer of 1738.^[2][6] The suffix goes back to Ancient Greek -μετρία (-metría), from μέτρον (métron, “measure”).^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It was first recorded in 1874 by the Larousse of the 19th century, which refers the reader to opsiométrie; the sense was the measurement of the sharpness of sight with the optometer.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

In 1903 the Larousse recorded a second sense, the part of physics concerned with vision.^[4] The word belongs to a group of terms for measuring visual acuity, with optomètre (1855), optométrique (1874) and optométriste (1955).^[6] English optometry (1886) was probably influenced by the French word.^[7]

Timeline

• 1855 – Optomètre is recorded.^[2][6]
• 1874 – The Larousse of the 19th century records optométrie.^[2][4]
• 1886 – English optometry is first recorded.^[7]
• 1903 – The Larousse records the sense “part of physics concerned with vision”.^[4]
• 1955 – Optométriste is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. Optometry: the study of vision and the measurement of its defects, such as myopie, hypermétropie, presbyopia and astigmatisme, and the techniques used for it, including the choice of corrective lenses.^[2][8][9][5]
2. (physics) The part of optics concerned with vision.^[4][5]

Related words

• optomètre
• optométrique
• optométriste
• optique

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
9. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)