statistical
Meaning
Relating to or based on the use of statistics.
Structure
Usage
The report provides a statistical analysis of population growth over the last decade.
There is a statistical correlation between regular exercise and improved heart health.
The difference in test scores was not statistically significant.
Etymology
The word 'statistical' has its conceptual origin in the affairs of state. Its core, 'statistic', derives from the Italian 'statista' (statesman) and the Latin 'status', meaning a standing, position, or condition of a state. In the 18th century, 'statistics' emerged as the science of collecting and analyzing numerical data about the state, such as population or resources. The suffix '-al' was appended to form the adjective, broadening the meaning from strictly state-related data to the general mathematical analysis of any quantitative data, thus describing anything pertaining to this science.
Analysis
- statistic: From New Latin statisticus, from Italian statista ("statesman"), from Latin status ("state, condition"). The root refers to data concerning the state. - al: A suffix of Latin origin forming adjectives meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by".