English
mathematics
Mathematics comes from Latin mathēmaticus ‘mathematical’, from Ancient Greek μαθηματικός ‘on the matter of that which is learned’, and ultimately from μάθημα.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEμάθημαmáthēma‘knowledge, study, learning’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEμαθηματικόςmathēmatikós‘on the matter of that which is learned’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEmathēmaticus‘mathematical’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEmathēmatica
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400mathematique
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1961mathematics
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEμάθημαmáthēma‘knowledge, study, learning’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEμαθηματικόςmathēmatikós‘on the matter of that which is learned’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEmathēmaticus‘mathematical’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEmathēmatica
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400mathematique
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1961mathematics
Earliest quotation: 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs: “Next to Mathematics, the study of natural philosophy tends…”
Formed from mathematic + -ics
Middle English mathematik
English mathematic
The story
First use appears c. 1545.
Every English word from Ancient Greek μάθημα
Today it means
noun An abstract representational system studying numbers, shapes, structures, quantitative change and relationships between them.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek μάθημα / mathematics