symbiotique

Forms

symbiotique (plural symbiotiques)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek συμβιωτικός (sumbiōtikós, “concerning life in common”),^[2][3][4][5] from συμβιόω (sumbióō, “to live together”), the verb behind symbiose.^[3][6][2] The TLFi treats the first use (1890, of a kind of mange) separately, as a derivative of symbiote with the suffix -ique, and only the later biological senses as the Greek borrowing.^[2] The GLLF leaves open whether it is the Greek word or a learned French derivative of the noun,^[6] and the Petit Robert, the Académie and Wiktionary derive it from one of the two French nouns.^[7][8][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1890 in the veterinary phrase gale symbiotique, a kind of mange, in Nocard and Leclainche's contribution to Rochard's Encyclopédie d'hygiène.^[2]

Semantic evolution

In biology it was used from 1925 of organisms or tissues living in symbiosis, and since 1931 also of what relates to symbiosis, as in association symbiotique.^[2] The GLLF dates the sense “relating to symbiosis” only from the Larousse of 1933 and “living in symbiosis” from the Lexis of 1975.^[6] By analogy the astronomer Merrill called a closely associated pair of variable stars wrapped in nebulosity étoiles symbiotiques,^[2] and psychology speaks of a relation symbiotique, a relationship of dependence between people.^[2]

Timeline

• 1890 – First recorded, in gale symbiotique.^[2][3][7][4]
• 1925 – Used of tissues living in symbiosis.^[2]
• 1931 – Plantefol writes of an association symbiotique.^[2]
• 1933 – The Larousse records it.^[6]
• 1953 – Used in psychology of a relationship of dependence.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (biology) Relating to or characterized by symbiosis: une relation symbiotique entre deux espèces.^[2][7][5]
2. (biology) Living in symbiosis: des bactéries symbiotiques.^[2][6]
3. (astronomy) Said of a pair of stars closely associated within a shared envelope of nebulosity.^[2]
4. (psychology) Said of a relationship of dependence between people.^[2]

Related words

• symbiose
• symbiote
• symbionte
• Ancient Greek συμβιωτικός (sumbiōtikós)
• English symbiotic

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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 c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
6. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale