synthetic English · revision 15174

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1589|origins=grc συντίθημι}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /sɪnˈθet.ɪk/, US /sɪnˈθet̬.ɪk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|synthétique]] and directly [[la-new|syntheticus]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[grc|συνθετικός|tr=sunthetikós|t=skilled in putting together, constructive]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from the past participle stem of [[m|grc|συντίθημι|tr=suntíthēmi|t=to put together]] (see [[synthesis]]).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Relating to grammatical construction, a rare and obsolete sense: 1589.^(OED 1989) In logic, proceeding from causes or principles to their consequences: 1697 in the OED, the 1690s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In chemistry, relating to synthesis, it is from 1753.^(OED 1989) It was used in grammar by 1816, of languages that combine elements into words, and in biology by 1859.^(Etymonline) Of a substance made by chemical synthesis in imitation of a natural product, it is from 1874,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and figuratively, artificial or invented, from 1930.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) In aeronautics, synthetic training simulates flight on the ground (1942).^(OED 1989) As a noun, a synthetic material, especially a fabric, it is from 1934 in Etymonline, 1916 in Merriam-Webster.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) Synthetical is from the 1620s, in logic.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1589 – of grammatical construction.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1697 – deductive (logic).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1753 – relating to chemical synthesis.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1874 – artificially made.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1916 – a synthetic (noun).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1930 – artificial, imitation.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Made artificially by chemical reaction, not of natural origin.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Not genuine; [[artificial]] or insincere: ''synthetic compassion''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Relating to or involving [[synthesis]].^(AHD)

+ # ''(linguistics)'' Of a language such as Latin, expressing grammatical relations mainly by [[inflection]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A synthetic chemical compound or material, especially a fabric.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[synthetically]]

+ * [[nonsynthetic]]

+ * [[unsynthetic]]

+ * [[biosynthetic]]

+ * [[polysynthetic]]

+ * [[semisynthetic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[synthesis]]

+ * [[synthesize]]

+ * [[thesis]]

+ * [[analytic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}