logistic

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ləˈd͡ʒɪs.tɪk/, /lɒd͡ʒˈɪs.tɪk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ləˈd͡ʒɪs.tɪk/, /loʊˈd͡ʒɪs.tɪk/

Etymology 1

Original image of a logistic curve, contrasted with a logarithmic curve.

From French logistique, from Ancient Greek λογιστικός (logistikós, “practiced in arithmetic; rational”), from λογίζομαι (logízomai, “I reason, I calculate”), from λόγος (lógos, “reason, computation”), whence English logos, logic, logarithm, etc.; modern mathematical use influenced by related logarithmic.

Sense of “logistic function” by Pierre François Verhulst (1845) in French, then borrowed into English. Verhulst does not explain his choice of naming, but he contrasts it with the logarithmic curve (also from λόγος (lógos)), and it is presumably by analogy with arithmetic and geometric (other divisions of mathematics), as his discussion of arithmetic growth and geometric growth precede his discussion of logistic growth.

The term logistic and logistical also found occasional mathematical use in English prior to 1800, from the same Greek origin.

Adjective

logistic (not comparable)

1. (mathematics) Relating to symbolic logic.
2. (statistics) Relating to the logistic function.
3. (mathematics, obsolete) Using sexagesimal fractions, especially in arithmetic or logarithms.
4. (mathematics, obsolete) Relating to basic arithmetic.
   • 1730 July, J. P. Biester, “Decreasing Logarithms”, in The Present State of the Republick of Letters, volume 6, page 103:

     If we compare the calculus of a triangle, by the logistic logarithms …

5. (mathematics, obsolete) Skilled in calculating.
6. (mathematics, obsolete) Proportional.

Derived terms

• log-logistic

Translations

mathematics: relating to symbolic logic

• Catalan: logístic (ca)
• Dutch: logistisch
• French: logistique (fr)

statistics: relating to the logistic function

• Catalan: logístic (ca)
• Dutch: logistisch
• French: logistique (fr)

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Translations to be checked

• Italian: ^{(please verify)} logistico (it)

Noun

logistic (countable and uncountable, plural logistics)

1. (countable, mathematics) A logistic function or graph of a logistic curve.
2. (uncountable, mathematics, obsolete) The art of calculation.
3. (uncountable, mathematics, obsolete) Sexagesimal arithmetic.

Translations

mathematics: logistic function

• French: logistique (fr) f

Etymology 2

From French logistique, from loger (“to lodge”) or logis (“lodging place”).

Adjective

logistic (not comparable)

1. (operations) Relating to logistics.

Translations

relating to logistics

• Catalan: logístic (ca)
• Dutch: logistiek (nl)
• French: logistique (fr)
• Greek: λογιστικός (el) m (logistikós)
• Italian: logistico (it)
• Portuguese: logístico
• Romanian: logistic (ro)
• Spanish: logístico (es)

Derived terms

• logistical
• logistically
• logistician

Anagrams

• logicist

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French logistique.

Adjective

logistic m or n (feminine singular logistică, masculine plural logistici, feminine and neuter plural logistice)

1. logistical
2. logistic

Declension

		singular				plural
		masculine	neuter	feminine		masculine	neuter	feminine
nominative- accusative	indefinite	logistic		logistică		logistici	logistice
	definite	logisticul		logistica		logisticii	logisticele
genitive- dative	indefinite	logistic		logistice		logistici	logistice
	definite	logisticului		logisticei		logisticilor	logisticelor