systématiser

Forms

systématiser^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French systématique + -iser.^[2][3][1] The TLFi allows that it may also have been formed directly on système.^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1740 Louis-Bertrand Castel's L'Optique des couleurs uses it in the sense “to bring together into a system”.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

Beside the transitive sense, the verb was used intransitively from 1756 (Victor de Mirabeau) for “to build systems, to devise abstract doctrines”, a use since lost.^[5][6] The Trévoux dictionary of 1771 records the transitive sense.^[5][7] In 19th-century psychiatry the past participle took a medical sense: a délire systématisé is a delusion organized around one theme (1895).^[4][6] In the 20th century the verb came to be used absolutely, in a disapproving way, for judging from fixed ideas, by generalizing.^[6][5]

Its derivatives include systématisation (1824) and the rare systématiseur (1877).^[6]

Timeline

• 1740 – First recorded in Louis-Bertrand Castel's L'Optique des couleurs.^[4][2]
• 1756 – Victor de Mirabeau uses it intransitively, “to devise systems”.^[5][6]
• 1771 – The Trévoux dictionary records the transitive verb.^[5][7]
• 1824 – The noun systématisation appears.^[6]
• 1895 – Délire systématisé is used at a congress of alienists and neurologists.^[4]
• 1964 – The Larousse records the absolute use.^[5]

Meanings

Verb

1. To organize several elements into a coherent system: systématiser ses notes de lecture.^[4][3][8]
2. (passive or reflexive) To form a system, especially (psychiatry) of a delusion that organizes itself around a single theme: délire systématisé.^[4][3]
3. To make systematic, apply as a rule: systématiser les vérifications.^[9]
4. (absolute, pejorative) To generalize, judge from preconceived ideas: il ne faut pas tout systématiser.^[9][5][6]

Word family

• systématisation

Related words

• système
• systématique

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ 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
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
8. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)