a. and sb. [f. LINGUIST + -IC. Cf. F. linguistique.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the knowledge or study of languages. Also used for: Of or pertaining to language or languages; = LINGUAL 4 b.
The latter use is hardly justifiable etymologically; it has arisen because lingual suggests irrelevant associations.
1856. C. J. Ellicott, in Cambr. Ess., 187. Orthographies … and … the veriest minutiæ of linguistic differences.
1858. J. M. Mitchell, Mem. R. Nesbit, i. 12. His linguistic talent was logical as much as philological.
1860. Marsh, Eng. Lang., i. (1862), 2. The most striking improvement in linguistic study may be dated from the discovery … of the Sanskrit.
1876. C. M. Davies, Unorth. Lond., 31. In a linguistic point of view the peoples were one.
B. sb. [-IC 2.] The science of languages; philology. a. sing. (Cf. F. linguistique, G. linguistik.) rare.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sci. (1840), I. p. cxiv. We may call the science of languages linguistic, as it is called by the best German writers.
1870. Lowell, Study Wind., 334. Mr. Hooper is always weak in his linguistic.
b. pl.
1855. in Ogilvie, Suppl.
1855. S. W. Singer, in N. & Q., 3 March, 169/1 (Worc.). A work containing a complete chronological account of English lexicography and lexicographers, would be a most acceptable addition to linguistics and literary history.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., x. 191. A fundamental principle in linguistics.
1893. Leland, Mem., I. 112. The extreme interest which I take in philology and linguistics.
