amorphe

Forms

amorphe (plural amorphes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ἄμορφος (ámorphos, “shapeless”), a word used by Plato.^[2][3][1] The Greek word is formed from ἀ- (a-, “not”) and μορφή (morphḗ, “form”).^[4][5][3][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1784, in Mongez's translation of Bergmann's Manuel du minéralogiste, describing minerals with no definite form.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

First a scientific term for the non-crystalline state of minerals, it was extended to any material thing with no recognizable structure or organization, and then in general use to whatever is or seems shapeless.^[3][5] In 1896 Ribot applied it to people with no consistent personality.^[2][5][7] From there it came to mean lacking energy, unable to act.^[3][7] Rey sums up the change as a move from the idea of form to the absence of drive.^[3]

Timeline

• 1784 – First record, in mineralogy.^[2][3]
• 1838 – The derivative amorphie is recorded.^[2]
• 1896 – Ribot uses it in characterology.^[2][5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (physics, mineralogy) Not crystalline, with no regular structure at the microscopic level.^[7][2][1]
2. (figurative) Without definite form, structure or organization.^[5][3][1]
3. (characterology) Of a person: with no consistent personality; also as a noun.^[7][2]
4. Lacking energy, apathetic, sluggish: une classe amorphe.^[7][1][5]

Related words

• amorphie
• Ancient Greek μορφή (morphḗ)

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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 e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
5. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 6/3, 140b
7. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert