Analytic vs. Analytical

[vgv8]

I am having difficulties in understanding the difference between "analytic" and "analytical" in their meaning and (proper) use.
When to use the one and when another?

Please explain me.

 

[5jj]

There is no difference. Analytical is the more common.

 

[vgv8]

Thanks.
Any reason why this difference appeared (was invented and/or introduced)?

 

[5jj]

Any reason why this difference appeared (was invented and/or introduced)?

The Oxford English Dictionary records the first use of analytical (spelt analeticall) in1525, and of analytic (spelt analyticke) in 1601.

It defines the former as: "of or pertaining to analysis, employing the analytic method or process"; it defines the latter as: "of, pertaining to, or in accordance with analysis; consisting in, or distinguished by, the resolution of compunds into their elements".

Webster's Third gives analytic as it first definition of analytical. For the second, it gives: "involving the breakdown of a natural subject into component planes and geometric forms" in cubic art.

So, it seems that for some people there may be a difference.

 

[Raymott]

There are many words like this.
magic/magical; mythic/mythical; electric/electrical
Most native speakers would not discern a difference in meaning, even though the usage might be slightly different.

 

[vgv8]

There are many words like this.
magic/magical; mythic/mythical; electric/electrical
Most native speakers would not discern a difference in meaning, even though the usage might be slightly different.

Yeah, there are hundreds of such pairs and I hoped to understand about differences in all them collectively from answers about one pair.

 

[vgv8]

The Oxford English Dictionary records the first use of analytical (spelt analeticall) in1525, and of analytic (spelt analyticke) in 1601.

It defines the former as: "of or pertaining to analysis, employing the analytic method or process"; it defines the latter as: "of, pertaining to, or in accordance with analysis; consisting in, or distinguished by, the resolution of compunds into their elements".

Webster's Third gives analytic as it first definition of analytical. For the second, it gives: "involving the breakdown of a natural subject into component planes and geometric forms" in cubic art.

So, it seems that for some people there may be a difference.

But I could not get this distinction.
"the resolution of compunds into their elements" is the definition of analysis (as antonym to synthesis)

 

[Raymott]

But I could not get this distinction.
"the resolution of compunds into their elements" is the definition of analysis (as antonym to synthesis)

It seems relatively straightforward:
Analyze: Resolve compounds into their elements. (Break big things down to their little parts)
Synthesize: Build up compounds from elements. (Make big things out of little parts)

 

[vgv8]

"-ic" vs. "-ical"

It seems relatively straightforward:
Analyze: Resolve compounds into their elements. (Break big things down to their little parts)
Synthesize: Build up compounds from elements. (Make big things out of little parts)

What seems relatively straightforward?
I could not grasp any difference between given definitions of "analytic" and "analytical".
They seem quite the same, repeating each another by just using different words.

I asked about distinction between:
- analytic vs. analytical

hoping to come to understanding scalable (general) for other pairs of the kind like:

- geometric vs. geometrical
- geographic vs. geographical

 

[5jj]

Re: "-ic" vs. "-ical"

I could not grasp any difference between given definitions of "analytic" and "analytical". There in't one, for most people,
They seem quite the same... That's what we said.

I asked about distinction between:
- analytic vs. analytical

hoping to come to understanding scalable (general) for other pairs of the kind like:
- geometric vs. geometrical
- geographic vs. geographical

Re-read the posts in this thread. Raymott and I have answered your question as clearly as appears to be possible. For some pairs there may be a difference - economic and economical, for example, but we can't give a general rule when there isn't one.