aérodynamique

Forms

aérodynamique (plural aérodynamiques)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French aéro- + dynamique.^[2][3][4][5] The GLLF analyses it as the prefix with Ancient Greek δύναμις (dúnamis, “power”).^[6] Etymonline compares German aerodynamische (1835).^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded as a noun in 1836, in Raymond's supplement to the Académie dictionary, as the part of physics dealing with the phenomena that depend on atmospheric pressure.^[2][4] The Grand Robert and the GLLF date it from the Académie's dictionary of 1842.^[3][6]

Semantic evolution

Littré still defined it as the part of physics dealing with the motion of elastic fluids and the pressure of the outside air.^[8] With aviation it became the study of the forces acting on a body moving through the air.^[4][9] The adjective, “relating to aerodynamics”, appears in 1891 in l'Aéronaute,^{[2][6][4][10]} and in the first half of the 20th century it was applied to car bodies, as in lignes aérodynamiques “streamlined lines”.^[2][6] Larousse notes that this sense, “designed to offer little resistance to the air”, was long criticised, the older usage being “using the force of the air”, but is now accepted.^[9]

English aerodynamic is recorded from 1847.^[7]

Timeline

• 1836 – Raymond's supplement to the Académie dictionary records the noun.^[2][4]
• 1842 – The Académie records it.^[3][6]
• 1847 – English aerodynamic is recorded.^[7]
• 1891 – The adjective appears in l'Aéronaute.^[2][6][10]
• 1929 – André Thérive uses the adjective.^[2][10]
• First half of the 20th century – Lignes aérodynamiques is said of cars.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. Aerodynamics, the branch of physics that studies the motion of air and the forces on bodies moving through it.^[4][9][5]
2. The aerodynamic qualities of a vehicle: l'aérodynamique de cette berline.^[9]

Adjective

1. Relating to aerodynamics or to the action of the air on a moving body: une soufflerie aérodynamique.^[4][5][6]
2. Designed to reduce air resistance, streamlined: un casque aérodynamique.^[4][9][6]

Related words

• dynamique
• aéronautique

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b c d e Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
10. ^ a b c Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF