Etymologically
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élément

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /e.le.mɑ̃/[1]

Forms

élément m (plural éléments)[1]

Etymology

It is a very early borrowing borrowed from Latin elementum, “one of the four elements”, used mostly in the plural for first principles, rudiments, and the letters of the alphabet.[2][3][4] The Grand Robert thinks its first sense in Latin was “letter of the alphabet”, as in Lucretius.[5] The origin of the Latin word is unknown.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Sequence of Saint Eulalia (881) has Ell' en adunet lo suon element, where it means the principles or soul of the person, her faith.[2][6][7]

Semantic evolution

Philippe de Thaon in 1119 uses it for the substance of the universe in its four forms, earth, water, air and fire, after the Greek and Latin model.[2][3] About 1200 it meant a part of a whole, and in the plural the first principles of a science, later a book setting them out.[2][3] About 1450 les éléments were the forces of nature (faison tonner les elemens), and Montaigne in 1588 uses it for the natural medium of a creature, whence être dans son élément, to be in one's element.[2][3] Modern chemistry named its simple substances éléments.[6] In physics it is found in 1758 for an infinitely small part of a quantity.[8][3] From 1860 it has also meant a member of a group, as in un bon, un mauvais élément.[3]

Timeline

  • 881 – In the Sequence of Saint Eulalia.[2]
  • 1119 – The four elements, in Philippe de Thaon.[2]
  • c. 1200 – “Part of a whole”.[2]
  • c. 1450 – Les éléments, the forces of nature.[2]
  • 1588 – A creature's natural medium, in Montaigne.[2]
  • 1758 – An infinitesimal element, in physics.[8]
  • 1860 – A member of a group.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Each of the parts whose combination makes up a thing; a component: les éléments d'un ensemble, tous les éléments du problème.[9][5]
  2. (in the plural) The first principles of a science or art; rudiments.[3][6]
  3. (ancient philosophy) Each of the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.[7][6]
  4. Les éléments: the forces of nature, the weather and the sea: l'armée avait les éléments à combattre.[6][3]
  5. The natural medium of a living being, être dans son élément, to be in one's element.[7][3]
  6. (chemistry) A chemical element.[1][6]
  7. A person regarded as a member of a group: un bon, un mauvais élément.[3]

Word family

  • élémentaire

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b c d e f Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  7. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
  9. ^ Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert