Pl. of STATISTIC.
1. Construed as sing. In early use, that branch of political science dealing with the collection, classification and discussion of facts (especially of a numerical kind) bearing on the condition of a state or community. In recent use, the department of study that has for its object the collection and arrangement of numerical facts or data, whether relating to human affairs or to natural phenomena.
1787. Zimmermann, Polit. Surv. Europe, Pref. 2. This science, distinguished by the newly-coined name of Statistics, is become a favourite study in Germany.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XVII. 731/2. Statistics, a word lately introduced to express a view or survey of any kingdom, county, or parish.
1798. Sir J. Sinclair, Statist. Acc. Scot., XX. App. p. xiii. In 1786, I found, that in Germany they were engaged in a species of political inquiry, to which they had given the name of Statistics; and though I apply a different idea to that word, for by Statistical is meant in Germany, an inquiry for the purpose of ascertaining the political strength of a country, or questions respecting matters of state; whereas, the idea I annex to the term, is an inquiry into the state of a country, for the purpose of ascertaining the quantum of happiness enjoyed by its inhabitants, and the means of its future improvement; yet, as I thought that a new word might attract more public attention, I resolved on adopting it.
1838. Lond. & Westm. Rev., XXIX. 70. Statistics … is merely a form of knowledge—a mode of arranging and stating facts which belong to various sciences.
1839. Carlyle, Chartism, xi. 115. Statistics is a most important science.
1895. Mayo-Smith, Statist. & Sociol., 9. Statistics consists in the observation of phenomena which can be counted or expressed in figures.
b. With defining word. Chiefly in vital statistics, the collection and arrangement of the numerical data bearing on the varying average duration of human life under various conditions of place, occupation, etc.
1829. F. B. Hawkins, Elem. Med. Statistics, 2. A combination of these scattered features forms Medical Statistics…. We may perhaps define it, in a few words, to be the application of numbers to illustrate the natural history of man in health and disease.
1845. Neison (title), Contributions to Vital Statistics.
1889. A. Newsholme (title), The Elements of Vital Statistics.
2. Construed as plural. Numerical facts or data collected and classified.
1837. Ht. Martineau, Soc. Amer., II. 292. There is great virtue in figures, dull as they are to all but the few who love statistics for the sake of what they indicate.
1838. Lond. & Westm. Rev., XXIX. 58. The valuelessness of all prior statistics of crime.
1844. Kinglake, Eöthen, Pref. From all useful statistics … the volume is thoroughly free.
1859. Westm. Rev., Oct., 593. The statistics of suicide are striking: at the end of the last century the number of suicides trebled that of assassinations.
1868. G. Duff, Pol. Surv., 6. To collect on the spot masses of statistics.
1881. Hooper, in Jrnl. Statist. Soc., XLIV. 44. We all know what we mean by ‘statistics of pig iron,’ ‘statistics of coffee,’ ‘population statistics,’ or ‘revenue statistics.’ We mean actual concrete figures relating to a particular set of phenomena.
1903. Nature, 12 March, 453/2. The new Lucasian professor will next term lecture on ‘The Theory of Gases and the Molecular Statistics of Energy.’
b. Comb. (in sing. form). Cf. STATISTIC sb. 1 b.
1855. Thackeray, Charac. Sk., Capt. Rook. The statistic-mongers and dealers in geography have calculated to a nicety how many quartern loaves … are consumed.
1902. S. Coleridge, Open Let. to Registrar-General, 6. The impertinences of a mere statistic-collector.
