toxicologie

Forms

toxicologie f (uncountable)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French toxico- + -logie.^[2][3][4] The first element was taken from Latin toxicum (“poison”),^[5] the Greek word being Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón, “poison”), and the second goes back to Ancient Greek λόγος (lógos, “discourse, treatise”).^[6][7] Wiktionnaire describes it instead as derived from toxique with the same suffix.^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1803, in the title of a Manuel de toxicologie by Frank, meaning both the science of poisons and a treatise on them.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The word named a branch of pharmacology that grew in importance in the 19th century.^[5] Littré still gives the second sense “a treatise on poisons”, as in the Toxicologie of Orfila.^[6] It soon had derivatives: toxicologique (1832) and toxicologue (1842),^[5] beside toxicologiste, used by the Goncourts in 1865.^[2] The element toxico- became very productive in the later 19th and the 20th centuries.^[5] Modern definitions widen the field to harmful chemicals and radiation in general.^[9]

Timeline

• 1803 – First record, in Frank's Manuel de toxicologie.^[2][5]
• 1832 – The adjective toxicologique is recorded.^[2][5]
• 1842 – Toxicologue “toxicologist” appears.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. (medicine, pharmacology) toxicology, the science of poisons, their effects on living organisms, how to detect them and how to counter them.^[2][4]
2. (by extension) The study of the harmful effects of chemical substances or radiation on living beings: un rapport de toxicologie.^[9]
3. (dated) A treatise on poisons.^[6]

Word family

• toxicologique
• toxicologue
• toxicologiste

Related words

• toxique
• toxicomanie
• Latin toxicum

References

1. ^ a b 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 Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org
9. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale