Etymologically
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action

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ak.sjɔ̃/[1]

Forms

action f (plural actions)[1] Old French acciun, aucion; the spelling was later remade after Latin.[1][2]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin āctiō (“doing, acting; legal action”), from agō (“to do”) (see agir).[3][2][4][5][6] Its first use, “action de grâce” “thanksgiving”, is a calque of Latin grātiārum āctiō, and Christian Latin also used “actio” for the giving of thanks.[4][5]

The financial sense “share” (1669) is probably from “action” “claim, asset” in the 17th century, by way of Dutch actie.[3][5] Bloch and Wartburg disagree: the Dutch word had another sense and is itself rather of French origin, through German Aktie, and “action” took the new sense after actif “assets”.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Psautier de Cambridge (mid-12th century) has acciun de grace, a religious expression of thanks to God.[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The general sense “what someone does” is recorded in 1250 in Gautier de Coinci, and the legal sense, a right to sue and a lawsuit, in Beaumanoir in 1283.[2][4][7] In the 14th century it was also a manner of acting, and Oresme defined it as “operation”.[3][7] The theatrical sense was already Latin, and in the 16th and 17th centuries it was also an orator's delivery or plea.[4]

The financial action “share” appears in 1669 in Colbert, and the figurative ses actions montent “his stock is rising” comes from it.[3][5][8] In Switzerland action is a special offer in a shop.[1]

Timeline

  • mid-12th century – Acciun de grace, Psautier de Cambridge.[2]
  • 1250 – “Deed”, Gautier de Coinci.[2]
  • 1283 – A lawsuit, Beaumanoir.[4][2]
  • 14th century – “Manner of acting”.[3]
  • 1669 – A share, Colbert.[3][8]
  • 1954 – Action psychologique.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. An act, a deed: une bonne action, action d'éclat.[5][1]
  2. The fact of producing an effect; an influence: l'action du médicament, sous l'action du gel, en action, at work.[5]
  3. Action as opposed to thought: homme d'action, passer à l'action.[2][5]
  4. A campaign, an organized operation; a military engagement.[1][5]
  5. (physics) Action: principe de moindre action.[5]
  6. The plot or events of a play, novel or film.[4][2]
  7. (law) A lawsuit, a right to sue: intenter une action.[4][7]
  8. (finance) A share in a company: société par actions.[5][1]
  9. Action de grâce(s): thanksgiving.[4][1]
  10. (Switzerland) A special offer.[1]

Word family

  • actionner
  • inaction
  • réaction
  • actionnaire

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  3. ^ a b c d e f 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 i Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 24, 114b
  7. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF