mathematic, a. and n.
(mæθɪˈmætɪk)
Also 4 (n. sense 1), matematik, 6 methamatic, 4–7 mathematique.
[The adj., first recorded in the 16th c., is ad. F. mathématique or its source L. mathēmaticus, ad. Gr. µαθηµατικός, f. µαθηµατ-, µάθηµα something learned, science, f. root of µανθάνειν to learn. The substantival senses B. 1 (from 14th c.) and B. 2 (from 16th c.) are, so far as Eng. is concerned, independent words, but are placed together here because they represent absol. or elliptical applications of the Gr.-Latin adj.]
A. adj. = mathematical a., in various senses. Now rare.
| 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 62 Ptholome, auerois, aristotel, galien, ypocrites or Cicero,..var expert practicians in methamatic art. 1570 Dee Math. Pref. *, For the causes alleged..in respect of my Art Mathematike generall. 1593 Peele Hon. of Garter, Ad Mæcenatem Prol. 8 That admirable Mathematique skill, Familiar with the starres and Zodiack (To whom the heauen lyes open as her booke). a 1609 Donne Lett., To Sir H. Goodyere (1651) 163 A Mathematique point, which is the most indivisible and unique thing which art can present. 1611 Coryat Crudities 602 They were wise astrologers, who by the Mathematicke art (as Cyprian speaketh) knew the force and course of the planets. a 1619 M. Fotherby Atheom. ii. ix. §4 (1622) 297 Like the Punctum is in Mathematicke body. 1664 H. More Myst. Iniq. 270 That the Seven-headed Beast cannot be the Turkish Empire, we may conclude with Mathematick certitude. 1670 Wallis in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II. 519 Mathematic books..to be had very cheap. a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 214 The mathematic Lines, Where Nature all the Wit of Man confines. 1700 Wallis in Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 320 There be mathematick lectures. 1705 Lond. Gaz. No. 4116/1 Isaac Newton Esq.; formerly Mathematick Professor. 1807 Byron Th. Coll. Exam. i, Denouncing dire reproach to luckless fools, Unskill'd to plod in mathematic rules. 1850 Lynch Theo. Trin. xii. 235 He..went to mathematic studies. 1863 Ld. Lytton Ring Amasis II. 266 From his earliest years, he had brought, with mathematic precision, his voice, his manners, even the lines of his face, into a harmony undisturbed by expression. |
B. n.
1. [a. OF. mathematique (mod.F. mathématique) = Sp. matemática, Pg. mathematica, It. matematica, ad. L. mathēmatica (sc. ars or disciplīna), Gr. µαθηµατική (sc. τέχνη, θεωρία), fem. of L. mathēmaticus, Gr. µαθηµατικός: see above. Cf. G. mathematik.] Mathematical science, mathematics.
The word became obs. early in the 17th c., but has been revived by some writers in the latter part of the 19th c. (? after G. mathematik), for use instead of mathematics in contexts where the unity of the science is emphasized.
| c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 342 Þis witt þat crist spekiþ of stondeþ not in mannes lawe, ne in oþur curiouse lawes, as matematik, or lawes of kynde. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 89 The thridde point of Theorique, Which cleped is Mathematique, Devided is in sondri wise... The ferste of whiche is Arsmetique, And the secounde is seid Musique, The thridde is ek Geometrie, Also the ferthe Astronomie. 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. (1589) 72 Al arts and sciences handled by reason were divided into three principall kindes: into Philosophie, Rhetorike and Mathematike. 1594 R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 25 b, Phylosophy, Physicks and the Mathematick, were translated out of the Greeke into Arabian. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. viii. §1 Another part of Naturall philosophie..is mathematicke. 1854 Hickok Mental Sci. 125 All pure mathematic is thus a science of pure intuition. 1881 Athenæum 27 Aug. 269/1 Mr. Venn points out most clearly the distinction between symbolic logic and symbolic mathematic. [But Mr. Venn has ‘mathematics’.] |
† 2. [ad. L. mathēmaticus, Gr. µαθηµατικός. Cf. Sp. matemático, Pg. mathematico, It. matematico; also Du. mathematicus, G. mathematiker.] A mathematician. In translations from late L. often: An astrologer. Obs.
| 1547–64 Bauldwin Mor. Philos. (Palfr.) 7 Archelaus..was first an hearer of Antilochus a mathematicke. 1579–80 North Plutarch, Solon (1595) 87 Hippocrates the mathematike. 1587 Golding De Mornay xxvi. 403 Buteon a Mathematicke declareth expresly in a booke, what it [the Arke] contained foote by foote. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. ii. iii. Colonies 294 The Memphian Priests were deep Philosophers..and great Mathematikes. ? c 1600 Distracted Emp. i. i. in Bullen O. Pl. III. 169, I have seene Your conference with witches..and the damned frye Of cheating mathematicks. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God v. ix. (1620) 197 Those coniectures of the Mathmatiques he layeth flat. 1688 R. Holme Armoury ii. 27/2 Mathematick, one that Calculateth Nativities, an Astrologer, or a Mathematician. |
† 3. pl. Dice ‘mathematically true’. Obs.
| 1692 Abridgm. Specif. Patents, Toys, etc. (1871) 2 A new sort of dice knowne by the name of mathematicks, cutt perfectly square by a mold. 1721 [see doctor n. 12]. |
Hence † matheˈmatic v. trans., to bring out with mathematical accuracy.
| 1627–77 Feltham Resolves ii. xxix. 218 Words come not then digested and mathematic'd out, by..reason, but [etc.]. |