| 词组 | statistic |
| 释义 | statistic The singular statistic is derived from statistics, which in its oldest sense refers to a field of study, like economics, and which is itself often construed as a singular: • To reach a better understanding of how statistics functions, and of its limitations, weaknesses and dangers —Darrell Huff, Think, January 1963 This sense of statistics dates back to the late 18th century. The earliest recorded use of statistics as a plural occurred not long afterward: • ... the few who love statistics for the sake of what they indicate —Harriet Martineau, Society in America, 1837 (OED) Statistics here denotes not a field of study, but numerical data that have been collected for study. Derivation of the singular statistic from this plural use was almost inevitable. • There is not a statistic wanting. It is as succinct as an invoice —Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880 (OED Supplement) Statistic has at times been criticized (as by Follett 1966) on the theory that if there is no plural word statistics, there can be no singular statistic. However, the plural statistics does exist and has for more than 150 years. The singular statistic is now completely standard. |
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