logic

Where does the word "logic" come from? It comes from Greek logike, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (medieval).

Logic’s story begins in Greek: logike meant “the study of reasoning.” From "logos" (reason, word), the study of valid reasoning. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as logica. Aristotle's works on reasoning were grouped as the 'Organon'. From there it passed into Old French as logique by medieval. Carried the discipline into French. It reached English by medieval as logic. Settled as the English word for reasoned argument. Today, logic means reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient logike "the study of reasoning", from "logos" (reason, word), the study of valid reasoning.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient logica "the science of reasoning", Aristotle's works on reasoning were grouped as the 'Organon'.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval logique "the science of reasoning", carried the discipline into French.
4. Stage 4 · English · medieval logic "the science of valid reasoning", settled as the English word for reasoned argument.