Statistically

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /stəˈtɪs.tɪ.kə.li/

Definitions

1. In a fashion that involves numerical analysis and data interpretation, it relates to the methodologies used in gathering quantitative information, reflecting the evaluation of trends and occurrences through data
2. In a manner connected to the collection and examination of numerical data to identify patterns or trends
3. Describing the approach that applies mathematical techniques to analyze and interpret quantitative information

Etymology: "Statistically" is an adverb built from "statistical" plus the suffix "-ly," which turns an adjective into a manner adverb. The suffix itself is very old: it descends from an Old English form meaning "having the form or appearance of," which in turn came from a word for body or shape. So the adverb is a modern layering of an ancient ending onto a much newer base. The base, "statistical," rests on "statistic," which traces back to the Latin "status," meaning "state" or "condition," in the sense of the state of a nation. Its original sense was therefore about describing a state's condition through counted facts about its population and resources, long before it meant a numerical measure in general. The Latin "status" ultimately comes from a root meaning "to stand," which is why the same family of words gives us "station" and "constitution." The adjective "statistical" took its form through the Latin "-alis" suffix, which English adopted as "-al," so the two suffixes stack neatly: "statist-" plus "-ic" plus "-al" plus "-ly." Each layer adds a step in meaning, moving from a state's counted facts to the general science of collecting and analysing numbers.

Synonyms: numerically, quantitatively