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adhésif

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Etymology and origin of the French word adhésif

Confidence
Probable
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1478 More words from the 15th century
Borrowed from
Latin adhaesivus
Ultimate origin
Medieval Latin adhaesivus
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
French adhésif
English adhesive

Pronunciation

Forms

adhésif (feminine adhésive, masculine plural adhésifs, feminine plural adhésives)[1]

Etymology

The TLFi treats it as borrowed from Medieval Latin adhaesivus (“adhesive”), a word recorded in the 12th–13th century, and dates it to 1503.[2] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert date it to 1478 and form it on the stem of adhésion, as do the GLLF and the DHLF, which treats it as a derivative of adhérer.[3][4][5][6] Littré too derives it from the verb.[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first use is medical: in the French Guidon, the surgery of Guy de Chauliac (1503), ointments are said to have vertu emplastique c'est à dire adhésive, the power to stick.[2][5] The Robert dictionaries and the DHLF give 1478.[4][6]

Semantic evolution

The 1503 example remained isolated, and the word came back in the 19th century.[2][4] It was used as a noun in medicine (1866) and photography (1922) and in technical phrases such as ruban adhésif.[6][4] An abstract sense, “expressing approval” (1838), stayed exceptional.[6]

English adhesive was taken from it in the 1660s.[8]

Timeline

  • 1478 – First date given by the Robert dictionaries and the DHLF.[4][6]
  • 1503 – The French Guidon of Guy de Chauliac uses it of ointments.[2][5]
  • 1660s – English borrows it as adhesive.[8]
  • 1838 – The abstract sense “expressing approval” is recorded.[6]
  • 1866 – It is first used as a noun in medicine.[6]
  • 1922 – It is used as a noun in photography.[6]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Adhesive, sticky, able to stay stuck after it is applied: ruban adhésif, pansement adhésif.[4][5][2]

Noun

  1. An adhesive material, such as a tape, cloth or paper, or a substance used to stick surfaces together, a glue.[4][9][5]

Word family

  • adhésivement
  • adhésivité
  • autoadhésif

References

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  9. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Adhésif.” Etymologically, 14 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/adh%C3%A9sif. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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