égalitaire

Forms

égalitaire (plural égalitaires)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French égalité + -aire, on the stem of the noun.^[2][3][1][4] That noun is itself a remaking of older égualité, from Latin aequālitās (“equality”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1836 as an adjective, in the phrase systèmes égalitaires in Gozlan, meaning aiming at civil and political equality between people.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

The GLLF finds it in 1840 in the Premier Banquet communiste, and Bloch and Wartburg date it to 1859.^[6][5] As a noun, a supporter of absolute equality between people, it is recorded from 1857.^[2] It gave égalitairement (1870) and, on its stem, égalitarisme (1863), from which came égalitariste (1927).^[4] English egalitarian (1881) was formed from the French word, and Etymonline notes that it was at first often used of the despotism that followed the French Revolution.^[7]

Timeline

• 1836 – Gozlan writes of systèmes égalitaires.^[2][4]
• 1840 – Found in the Premier Banquet communiste.^[6]
• 1857 – First used as a noun.^[2]
• 1863 – Égalitarisme is formed.^[4]
• 1881 – English egalitarian appears.^[7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Aiming at or bringing about equality in civil, political and social matters.^[8][9][6]
2. Bringing everyone down to the same level.^[6]

Noun

1. A supporter of equality between people, an égalitariste.^[9][2]

Word family

• égalitarisme
• égalitariste
• égalitairement

Related words

• égalité
• égal
• Latin aequālitās

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)