Etymologically
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mathematica

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ma.tʰeːˈma.tɪ.ka][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ma.teˈmaː.ti.ka][1]

Forms

mathēmatica f (genitive mathēmaticae); first declension[1] Also mathēmaticē, genitive -ēs.[2]

Etymology

It is the feminine of mathēmaticus “mathematical” (understood with ⟨ars⟩), after borrowed from Ancient Greek μαθηματική (mathēmatikḗ) (⟨tékhnē⟩) “the mathematical art”, from μάθημα (máthēma, “learning, science”).[2][1][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Gaffiot cites Seneca's letters for mathematics.[5] Köbler dates Seneca 4 BC–65 AD.[3]

Semantic evolution

It was the science of mathematics, as in Seneca, and astrology, as in Suetonius.[2][5]

English took it as mathematik in the late 14th century, from Old French mathematique and directly from Latin; it was replaced by English mathematics in the early 17th century.[4]

Timeline

  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of mathematics.[5][3]
  • c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it of astrology.[5][3]
  • late 14th century – English mathematik is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Mathematics.[2]
  2. Astrology.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.