statistic

Etymology

Back-formation from statistics.

adj

1. Alternative form of statistical

noun

1. A single item in a statistical study.
2. A quantity calculated from the data in a sample, which characterises an important aspect in the sample (such as mean or standard deviation).
3. A person, or personal event, reduced to being an item of statistical information.
   By dying from an overdose, he became just another statistic.

verb

1. (transitive) To analyze or describe using statistics.
   This is the only subject in the world which has not been statisticked, which is another proof of scientific neglect by the investigators. April 13, 1912, W. Kee Maxwell, “A Cold in the Head”, in The Judge, volume 62,, number 1591
   When you get us all neatly docketed and statisticked, where will you put me? 1926, Earning a Living by the Pen, page 81
   Statisticked, are thirty other estates, ranging from that of a Mr. Morrison who has only one house, one garage, 65 stables, 2 kennels, 480 cattle, and 1250 acres, to the little hideaway of William Woodward which boasts 29 houses, 90 horses, 100 cattle, one tennis court, 26 vehicles, and 2200 acres. 1935, Advertising Fortnightly - Volume 25, page 64
   The proposals can be broken down to easily understood issues, they may be developed, illustrated, "statisticked,” to whatever point is necessary. 1943, American Society of Planning Officials, Planning, page 68
   The direct empirical knowledge of these circumstances, available to individuals involved in production, cannot be quantified, statisticked or otherwise frozen for the central planner's use. 1970, Sudha R. Shenoy, Under-development and Economic Growth, page 16
2. (intransitive) To cite or calculate statistics.
   When a fellow quits statisticking for a while, they say, "Oh, haven't you one more statistic?” 1925, National Safety Council, Proceedings of the National Safety Council Annual Safety Congress, page 136
   I ran into what to me is the most horrible statistic I have ever run into in some thirty-five years of statisticking. 1966, The Negro American - Volume 2, page 299
   A lot of books about the Rape of the Land have shouted or wheedled or statisticked at us. 1953, New York Herald Tribune Book Review - Volume 30, Part 1, page 6
   Some substitute for negative evidence, such as counting, and statisticking, is required. 1994, Lila R. Gleitman, Barbara Landau, The Acquisition of the Lexicon, page 14
3. (transitive) To comprise (as statistics)
   The afternoon game was pitched by Walter Johnson and was the start of the sixteen-game winning streak which statisticked that one in Boston, four in St. Louis, four in Chicago, four in Detroit, three in Cleveland and none for the little boy who lives down the lane. 1962, Frank Graham, Dick Hyman, Baseball Wit and Wisdom: Folklore of a National Pastime, page 82