- static (adj.)
- 1646 (earlier statical, 1570), "pertaining to the science of weight and its mechanical effects," from Mod.L. statica, from Gk. statikos "causing to stand, skilled in weighing," from stem of histanai "to cause to stand, weigh," from PIE base *sta- "stand" (see stet). The sense of "having to do with bodies at rest or with forces that balance each other" is first recorded 1802. Applied to frictional electricity from 1839. The noun meaning "radio noise" is first recorded 1913; fig. sense of "aggravation, criticism" is attested from 1926.