systématique

Forms

systématique (plural systématiques)^[1] Early spellings sistematice and sistematique (1552), and sistématique in the Trévoux dictionary (1721, 1771).^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek συστηματικός (sustēmatikós, “forming a whole”), a term of metrics and of medicine, where it described a continuous, frequent pulse.^[2][1] The GLLF, the Petit Robert and the DHLF take it through Late Latin systematicus, which the Greek word gave in the 4th century.^[4][5][6][2] The Greek adjective is derived from σύστημα (sústēma), the source of système.^[2][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1552 Paradin's Méthode of Fuchs gives sistematice as the Greek name of the equality or inequality of the pulse, “en latin collectiva, collective”.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

Goulart wrote inesgalité systematique in 1584, a phrase of unclear sense.^[2][6] The word was taken up again in the 18th century following système: in 1721 it described what belongs to a system, and also, pejoratively, an opinion dictated by a system rather than by facts.^[6][2] Vauvenargues spoke of an esprit systématique (before 1747), and the word was soon used of a person who thinks or acts by system, as a noun from 1784;^[6][2] Madame de Staël used it for a dogmatic, peremptory person (1807).^[6][2]

From 1784 it also meant methodical, and by extension steady and consistent, often pejoratively for what yields to no argument, as in opposition systématique (1893).^[6] In medicine it described diseases limited to one system of fibres.^[6][5] As a feminine noun la systématique named the science of classification of living things (1904, Nouveau Larousse illustré), whose specialist is a systématicien (1936).^[2][6]

Timeline

• 1552 – Sistematice is used of the pulse.^[2]
• 1584 – Goulart writes inesgalité systematique.^[2][3]
• 1721 – The Trévoux dictionary records the adjective.^[2]
• Before 1747 – Vauvenargues writes esprit systématique.^[2][4]
• 1807 – Madame de Staël uses it pejoratively.^[2][4]
• 1893 – Opposition systématique is recorded.^[6]
• 1904 – The Nouveau Larousse illustré records the noun for the science of classification.^[2]
• 1936 – Systématicien is recorded.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (formal) Belonging to or forming a système of ideas: raisonnement systématique.^[5][8][7]
2. (medicine) Of a disease or lesion, limited to one system of fibres with the same function: lésion systématique.^[5]
3. methodical, done in a set order for a set purpose: une fouille systématique de la maison.^[5][9][8]
4. Thinking or acting by a system, and (pejorative) holding to one's system against all reason, dogmatic: un refus systématique.^[8][9][6]
5. Happening every time, invariable: il arrive en retard, c'est systématique.^[9]

Noun

1. (feminine, biology) The science of the classification of living things, systematics or taxinomie.^[8][9][2]
2. (feminine) A body of facts, data or methods set up as a system.^[9]

Word family

• systématicien
• systématiquement

Related words

• système
• systématiser
• Late Latin systematicus
• Ancient Greek σύστημα (sústēma)

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 p q r 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
9. ^ a b c d e Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)