English Language & Usage Asked by Tim Foster on January 12, 2021
This is something I think I’ve noticed, but maybe I’ve just been noticing odd word choices and putting it down to a shift in language use. Has anyone noticed a shift from people using verb-derived nouns ending in -nce, to their equivalents ending in -ncy? Seems to be an American English thing.
For example, I’ve just read a scientific paper from a Washington-based research group, in which they use the word “resiliency”, rather than “resilience”. I’m sure I’ve noticed other words like this from time to time, but can’t think of any more examples.
As noteed by Jason: An interesting way to investigate changes over time is provided by Google Ngram.
Answered by GEdgar on January 12, 2021
in which they use the word "resiliency", rather than "resilience".
The -cy suffix had several functions depending upon the root word. The examples in question are perhaps clearer than most in their original meanings (Quotes from OED):
"resiliency" -> a tendency towards resilience
†1. Tendency to rebound or recoil. [...] Obsolete.
1651 tr. J. A. Comenius Nat. Philos. Reformed x. 189 Why those things that are to be seen must of necessity be enlightned? because sight is the resiliencie [L. resilientia] of the light from the object to the eye.
resilience - the attribute of being resilient.
I. Literal applications.
†1. The action or an act of rebounding or springing back; rebound, recoil. Obsolete.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §245 Whether there be any such Resilience in Eccho's
Despite the obsolescence, the "-cy" may reflect a tendency to be cautious about absolute claims, as the "-cy" version appears to have more of the abstract about it.
Answered by Greybeard on January 12, 2021
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