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radiologie

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Etymology and origin of the French word radiologie

Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1904 Nouveau Larousse illustré More words from the 20th century
Ultimate origin
French radio-,-logie

Pronunciation

  • /ʁa.djɔ.lɔ.ʒi/[1]

Forms

radiologie f (plural radiologies)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French radio- + -logie, first recorded in 1904 in a Larousse dictionary, the Nouveau Larousse illustré.[2][3][4][1] The TLFi and Wiktionary compare the English word radiology, which the OED dates to 1900.[2][1] Etymonline gives the English word the first sense “medical use of X-rays”.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

When the word was first recorded, in 1904, it named both the branch of physics dealing with X-rays and their use in medicine.[4][6]

Semantic evolution

Rey describes it as the name of the medical speciality using X-rays, and later other radiations, for diagnosis and treatment, which includes radioscopie, radiographie and radiothérapie.[6] The adjective radiologique dates from 1904; for the practitioner, radiologue (1932) won out over radiologiste (1905).[6] In physics and industry the word also covers the study of ionizing radiation and its applications, as in radiologie industrielle.[2]

Timeline

  • 1900 – The English word radiology is recorded.[2][5]
  • 1904 – Radiologie appears in the Nouveau Larousse illustré;[2][6] radiologique dates from the same year.[2][6]
  • 1905 – Radiologiste is recorded.[6]
  • 1932 – Radiologue is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (medicine) The branch of medicine that uses X-rays and other radiations for diagnosis and treatment; radiology: le service de radiologie.[7][8][4]
  2. (physics) The study of ionizing radiation and its applications, and the equipment used to produce it.[2][9]

Word family

  • radiologique
  • radiologue
  • radiologiste

References

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

“Radiologie.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/radiologie. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·