Etymologically
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analysis

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [aˈna.ly.sɪs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [aˈnaː.li.s̬is][1]

Forms

analysis f (genitive analysis or analyseōs or analysios); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀνάλυσις (análusis, “a loosening, resolution”),[1][2][3][4] from ἀναλύω (analúō, “to unloose; to analyse”), from ἀνά (aná, “up, back”) and λύω (lúō, “to loosen”).[1][5][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first record to Albertus Magnus, whose commentary on Aristotle's Posterior Analytics uses it for a part of logic, the resolution of a thing into its principles or causes.[4][2] Alexander Neckam also uses it, with reference to Aristotle's Analytics.[3]

Semantic evolution

Wiktionary gives it a medieval sense in mathematics.[1] English took it over in the 1580s, in the sense “resolution of anything complex into simple elements”, the opposite of synthesis.[5]

Timeline

  • 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it for the resolution of a thing into its principles.[2][4]
  • 1580s – Borrowed into English as analysis.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin, logic) Analysis, the resolution of something into its principles or causes; the part of logic treated in Aristotle's Analytics.[2][3][6]
  2. (Medieval Latin, mathematics) Analysis.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  3. ^ a b c Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson