"Neurotic, adj. sense 4, 1907, antedates 1917--

[Joel S. Berson]

At 3/6/2011 04:11 PM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
>2 and 4 seem to me to say virtually the same thing.
>But because 3 is applied to persons, the meaning is different.

In "2. Of the nature of a neurosis.", there seems to be something
essential, inherent in the relationship between the adjective and the
noun -- the quotes include "neurotic ailments", "neurotic disorder",
"neurotic Illnesses".

In "4. Symptomatic of or associated with a neurosis; characteristic
of a neurotic. Also in extended use.", the relationship is not
inherent -- quotes include "neurotic-asthmatic-erotic lamenting",
"neurotic tendencies", etc.

However:

1)  Under sense 2, I wonder about:

1866    A. Brewster St. Martin's Summer 95   The climate, from its
lively action on the skin, and the variety of impressions it makes on
the body and mind, is capitally suited for alleviating the suffering
arising from every kind of neurotic intermittent produced by mental causes.

Is this perhaps instead sense 1, "Acting on the nerves; designating
such an action"?  Does "intermittent" refers to a nerve
impulse?  (That meaning is not in the OED.)  And the 1866 date looks
a little out of time for sense 2.

2)   Under sense 4, there are a couple of "neurotic symptoms" -- 1917
and 1989.  Might these be better placed under sense 2?

Joel



>Cf.:
>
>1. a neurotic symptom ('caused by neurosis')
>2. a neurotic person ('afflicted with one or more neuroses')
>
>JL
>
>
>
>On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 3:55 PM, Victor Steinbok <aardvark66 at gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> > -----------------------
> > Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > Poster:       Victor Steinbok <aardvark66 at GMAIL.COM>
> > Subject:      Re: "Neurotic, adj. sense 4, 1907, antedates 1917--
> >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > I'm somewhat confused by some of the distinctions between neurotic 2.
> > ("Of the nature of neurosis"), neurotic 3. ("Of a person: suffering from
> > or affected by a neurosis") and neurotic 4. ("Symptomatic of or
> > associated with a neurosis; characteristic of a neurotic").
> >
> > How does one classify "neurotic ancestry" (p. 480, 567) or "neurotic
> > family history" (p. 548) or "neurotic parentage" (p. 555)?
> > http://goo.gl/cGcBq
> >
> > I would expect the latter two to be 3. (or 2.??), but not sure about
> > "ancestry"?
> >
> > And if they do fall under 3. rather than 2., then should "neurotic
> > inheritance" ("hereditary descent" of "a truly nervous character") as well?
> > http://goo.gl/Hmsgm
> >
> > On the other hand, shouldn't "neurotic predisposition" fall under
> > "symptomatic of neurosis"?
> >
> > I am hopelessly confused...
> >
> >     VS-)
> >
> > On 3/5/2011 11:04 AM, Joel S. Berson wrote:
> > > The Bystander [London], Vol. 13, No. 165, January 30, 1907, page 217:
> > >
> > > "Harry Thaw on Trial / New York's Neurotic Interest in the
> > > Millionaire Prisoner"  [article title]
> > >
> > > "Neurotic" adj. sense 4,  "... characteristic of a neurotic. Also in
> > > extended use", antedates OED3 Dec. 2009,1917--.
> > >
> > > [Serendipitous encounter, while test-driving "test-drive".]
> > >
> > > Joel
> >
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> >
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>
>
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