ambition

Forms

ambition f (plural ambitions)^[1] Old French ambicion.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin ambitiō (“canvassing for votes, desire for honours”), first as ambicion.^[3][4][2][5] The Latin word is derived from ambiō (“to go around, canvass the voters”), formed from ambi- (“around”) and eō (“to go”).^[4][5][6] In classical Latin the noun had only the figurative sense of canvassing and the desire for honours;^[4][3] “circuit” was ambitus.^[4][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Frère Laurent's Somme le roi (1279) names it as a branch of pride, a passionate desire for honours and dignities: La quarte brance d'orguil est fole baierie, que on appelle en clergie ambicion (“The fourth branch of pride is a foolish craving, which learned men call ambition”).^[3]

Semantic evolution

The word at first meant the quest for success and honour, and also ostentation (1487), a sense now lost; the Latin sense of “intrigue” (16th century) has also disappeared.^[4] Until the 17th century it was mostly taken in a bad sense, of intrigue and scheming.^[7][8][3] The Académie noted in 1694 that it was sometimes taken in a good sense, for a just desire to do great and honourable deeds.^[3]

A weaker sense, “a strong wish or intention to do something”, has been common since 1636 and survives in formal style.^[4] In Picard and Norman the word also meant pride or eagerness, senses that passed into Quebec French (recorded by Clapin in 1894) but have since aged.^[4] English took it in the mid-14th century, from Old French ambicion or directly from Latin.^[9]

Timeline

• 1279 – First record, in Frère Laurent's Somme le roi.^[3]
• 1487 – Used for ostentation.^[4]
• 16th century – The Latin sense “intrigue” is used.^[4]
• 1636 – The sense “strong wish to do something” is current.^[4]
• 1694 – The Académie notes that it may be taken in a good sense.^[3]
• 1894 – Clapin records the Quebec senses “pride, eagerness”.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. An eager desire for what flatters self-esteem: power, honours, social success: elle a beaucoup d'ambition.^[2][10][11]
2. An eager desire to succeed in intellectual or moral matters; an aspiration.^[2][8]
3. (weakened sense) A wish or claim: mon ambition se borne à finir ce livre.^[2][10][11]

Word family

• ambitionner

Related words

• ambitieux
• Latin ambitiō
• English ambition

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
10. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
11. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)