additif

Forms

additif m (plural additifs)^[1] The adjective is additif (feminine additive, masculine plural additifs, feminine plural additives).^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin additīvus (“that is joined to”), a grammatical term in Priscian, used of a pronoun.^[2][3][4] The Latin word is formed on the stem of additiō (“addition”),^[3] and the GLLF relates it to additus (“added”), the past participle of addō (“to add”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Landais (1840) records it as a new word used by some grammarians for a sign added to a primitive word to form a compound.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In the 19th century it was a learned adjective meaning “that is added, that can be added”, as Littré records it.^[2][6][5] In mathematics it qualifies what relates to addition, such as an additive law written with +.^[4]

In the 20th century it became a noun: an article or paragraph added to an official text or a budget (1946), and a substance added to a fuel, an oil or a food to improve it.^[4][5][7] The adjective additivé (1986) was derived from the latter.^[4]

Timeline

• 1840 – Landais records the adjective as a grammarians' word.^[2][3]
• 1843 – The GLLF and the Petit Robert date the adjective to this year, in Landais.^[5][4]
• 1946 – The noun “supplement, additional article” appears.^[4]
• 1986 – The derivative additivé is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That is added, that adds: une clause additive “an additional clause”.^[2][6]
2. (mathematics) Relating to addition.^[4][1]

Noun

1. An addendum, an article or paragraph added to a text, a law or a budget.^[4][5][7]
2. An additive, a substance added to a fuel, an oil or another product to improve its properties.^[4][5][7]
3. Additif alimentaire: a food additive, such as a colouring or a preservative.^[4][7]

Word family

• additivé

Related words

• addition
• additionnel
• Latin addō

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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 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 j k Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)