activisme

Forms

activisme m (plural activismes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French actif + -isme.^{[2][3][4][5][6][1]} The base adjective is from Latin āctīvus.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1906, in the supplement of the Nouveau Larousse illustré, as the name of a geological doctrine of Stanislas Meunier that stressed the chemical activity of mineral masses.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In 1911 F. Rauh used it in philosophy,^[2][4] for doctrines that give concrete action the first place in judging truth or in conducting one's life.^[2][5] During the First World War (1916–1918) it named the movement of those Flemish nationalists who pressed for the Flemish language with the support of the German occupier;^[4][2] from politics it came to mean a doctrine of direct and even violent action,^[4] and in general propaganda or action in the service of a party or cause.^[5][7] In character studies it also names the conduct of a leader who puts personal initiative first, and, by extension, mistaking agitation for action.^[2]

English activism was used of a philosophical theory in 1907 and in the political sense from 1920.^[8]

Timeline

• 1906 – First recorded as the name of Stanislas Meunier's geological doctrine.^[2][3]
• 1911 – F. Rauh uses it in philosophy.^[2][4]
• 1916 – It names the Flemish movement supported by the German occupation.^[2][4]
• 1920 – English activism is used in the political sense.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. (politics) A line of conduct that favours direct action, propaganda and action in the service of a cause: l'activisme écologiste.^[7][5]
2. (politics) A doctrine advocating violent action; compare extrémisme.^[4]
3. (philosophy) A moral attitude or doctrine that puts action and efficiency first, a form of pragmatism.^[4][7][5][2]
4. (history) The Flemish movement of 1916–1918 that pressed for the Flemish language with German support.^[4]
5. (psychology) Conduct that puts personal initiative first; by extension, mistaking agitation for action.^[2]
6. (geology, historical) Stanislas Meunier's theory of the chemical activity of rocks.^[2]

Related words

• actif
• activiste
• action
• Latin āctīvus
• English activism

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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 i Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
7. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com