Mathematic

Mathematic is a scarcely used noun that historically referred to a person who practices or studies mathematics. In contemporary English, the standard term is mathematician, and mathematic as a job title or descriptor is largely obsolete except in older or scholarly texts.

Origin and etymology: the word derives from the Latin mathematicus and the Greek mathēmatikós, both related to mathematics and the discipline’s study. The root in turn comes from mathēma or maths, meaning a lesson, knowledge, or problem. The modern noun form mathematician is built from mathematic and the agent suffix -ian.

Usage and distinctions: today, mathematician denotes a professional or scholar working in mathematics, including theoretical or applied research. Mathematic, when encountered, is typically archaic, dialectal, or used by non-native speakers with nonstandard grammar. In most modern contexts, using mathematician avoids confusion and aligns with standard English usage.

Context in literature: references to mathematic as a contemporary occupational title are rare outside historical writings. When present in antiquarian works, the term reflects earlier linguistic norms rather than current practice. Modern discussions of the field prefer mathematics as the subject and mathematician as the practitioner.

See also: Mathematics; Mathematician; Mathematical; History of mathematics.