antiseptique

Forms

antiseptique m (plural antiseptiques)^[1] First recorded in 1763 in the spelling antiseptike.^[2]

Etymology

It is formed from French anti- + septique.^[2][3][4][5] The Grand Robert and Rey also compare the English word antiseptic, which they date to 1753 and which has the same origin, and the Wiktionnaire takes the French word from it;^[2][6][7][8] Etymonline dates the English word to 1750.^[2][6][7][8]

The second part is from Latin septicus, from Ancient Greek σηπτικός (sēptikós, “characterized by putridity”), from σήπω (sḗpō, “to rot”).^[5][1][9] The GLLF instead derives the second part straight from the Greek adjective.^[10]

Earliest recorded meaning

The adjective is first recorded in 1763, in the spelling antiseptike, in a work of the naturalist Adanson, for what prevents putréfaction.^[2][10][6]

Semantic evolution

Used as a noun for a substance that prevents putrefaction from 1765, the word soon passed from medicine into everyday use.^[6] The Académie's dictionary of 1798 still defines it as a remedy that stops gangrène or cures it.^[11] After the discoveries of microbiology it came to mean what destroys the germs of infection.^[3][10]

It also has a figurative sense, of something that guards against moral corruption.^[12] From it were formed antisepsie (1880, first as a masculine in 1865) and the dated verb antiseptiser (1892).^[6]

Timeline

• 1750 – Etymonline's date for the English adjective antiseptic.^[8]
• 1763 – Antiseptike is recorded in Adanson.^[2][10]
• 1765 – First used as a noun.^[6][2]
• 1798 – The Académie records it, as adjective and noun.^[11]
• 1880 – The derivative antisepsie becomes a feminine noun.^[6]
• 1892 – The verb antiseptiser is formed.^[6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (medicine) antiseptic: preventing putrefaction or infection by killing germs, as in un pansement antiseptique.^[3][12]
2. (figurative) Guarding against moral corruption.^[12]

Noun

1. An antiseptic: a product used against germs on the skin and mucous membranes, such as hydrogen peroxide.^[13][3][10]

Word family

• antisepsie
• antiseptiser

Related words

• septique
• aseptique
• English antiseptic

Usage notes

Its opposite is septique; near synonyms are désinfectant and antiputride.^[3][10]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org
8. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
10. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
11. ^ a b Académie française (1798), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 5th ed., Paris: Smits
12. ^ a b c 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
13. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)