a. [irreg. f. SYSTEM + -IC; used for differentiation of meaning instead of the regular systematic.]
1. Physiol. and Path. Belonging to, supplying, or affecting the system or body as a whole; orig. and esp. in reference to the general circulation as distinguished from that supplying the respiratory organs (pulmonary or branchial).
1803. Barclay, New Anat. Nomencl., 122. Let the vessels which convey it [sc. blood] from the lungs to the system be called the Systemic, and those which convey it from the system to the lungs be named the Pulmonic.
1835–6. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 794/1. The cessation of these actions, and the consequent solution of connection between the various parts of the body, is systemic death.
1841. R. E. Grant, Comp. Anat., 498. The great systemic artery issuing from the left ventricle.
1858. Blackw. Mag., LXXXIII. 326. The … systemic sensation of Hunger.
1889. Bartholow, Mat. Med. (ed. 7), 489. Systemic effects may be produced by such an application.
1896. Newton, Dict. Birds, 1008. The Systemic Circulation … divisible into Arterial and Venous.
b. Belonging to or affecting a particular system of bodily organs, esp. the nervous system or special parts of it: see quot. 1890.
1887. W. F. Revell, Ethical Forecasts, 81. Certain molecular movements of nerve-substance marshal themselves, or are marshalled, into such order as … gives rise to orderly sequences of thought…. Does there not seem to be … a systemic intelligence, or a systemic grouping of forces which secures the results that intelligence might be expected to secure?
1890. Billings, Nat. Med. Dict., s.v., S[ystemic] lesion, a lesion limited to one set of homologous parts, such as the posterior columns or the anterior cornua of the spinal cord.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 181. Systemic sclerosis of a small but defined tract of the spinal cord.
2. gen. Of or pertaining to a system. rare–0.
1850. in Ogilvie; hence in later Dicts.
So † Systemical a. (obs. rare), systematic; hence Systemically adv., (a) systematically; (b) in relation to the bodily system.
1724. A. Collins, Gr. Chr. Relig., Concl. 273. The commentaries on Scripture, and systemical books of all modern theologues.
1888. Centen. Confer. Missions (U.S.), II. 265. What general would dare systemically to fight without reserves?
1889. Lancet, 4 May, 882/1. It seems likely that it [sc. corrosive sublimate] acts as much systemically as locally.
