érectile

Forms

érectile (plural érectiles)^[1]

Etymology

It is from French érection + -ile, formed on the stem of the noun after the model of tactile.^[2][1] The Grand Robert and the GLLF instead describe it as a learned derivative of Latin ērēctum, the supine of ērigō (“to raise, set up”),^[3][4] and Rey and the Académie allow either explanation.^[5][6] Picoche places it in the family of the Indo-European root Proto-Indo-European *reg- (“to direct in a straight line”), beside érection and érecteur.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1813, in the anatomical volume of the Encyclopédie méthodique, in the sense “capable of erection”.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Littré still gives it only as a term of anatomy, chiefly in tissu érectile, tissue that becomes stiff and swollen when blood fills its vessels.^[8] Rey notes that the adjective is used more widely than érection itself, as in poils érectiles, hairs that can stand up.^[5][9] The Petit Robert also gives a sense tied to erection of the penis, in troubles érectiles, erectile disorders.^[9] It is occasionally used figuratively, as when Sainte-Beuve called the point of honour an erectile bud of vanity (1869).^[2]

English took erectile from the French word;^[10] Etymonline dates it to 1822.^[10]

Timeline

• 1813 – First recorded in the Encyclopédie méthodique.^[2][3]
• 1822 – English erectile is recorded, from the French word.^[10]
• 1839 – The derivative érectilité is first recorded.^[9]
• 1869 – Sainte-Beuve uses it figuratively of the point of honour.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (physiology) Capable of erection, able to swell, stiffen or stand up: tissu érectile, poils érectiles.^[2][9][6]
2. Relating to erection of the penis: troubles érectiles.^[9]
3. (figurative, rare) Apt to swell up or rise.^[2]

Word family

• érectilité

Related words

• érection
• ériger
• érecteur
• Latin ērigō
• English erectile

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
7. ^ Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
8. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com