aquifère

Forms

aquifère m (plural aquifères)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from New Latin aquifer (“water-bearing”), which the TLF-Étym classes as a calque; the Latin adjective is recorded from 1691.^[2][3] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert analyse it as aqui- (from Latin aqua (“water”)) and -fère;^[4][5] Littré and the GLLF likewise name the Latin words for water and for carrying, the second being ferō (“to carry”).^[6][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLF-Étym's first record is from the Journal des Mines in 1803, which speaks of a couche aquifère near a spring, in the sense “that carries or contains water”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Zoology used it from 1819 for the organs through which aquatic animals take in and expel water, and the canal aquifère of shells is recorded in 1834.^[2] The Grand Robert dates the zoological use to 1809 and the sense “containing water” to 1834.^[4] Botany applied it to water-storing cells and tissues of plants.^[8][5]

It entered a specialised dictionary in 1827 and a general dictionary in 1835.^[2] As a masculine noun it now names the permeable ground that holds an underground body of water.^[5][9] English aquifer is recorded from 1897.^[10]

Timeline

• 1691 – Scientific Latin aquifer is recorded.^[2]
• 1803 – Couche aquifère appears in the Journal des Mines.^[2]
• 1819 – First zoological use, for breathing in water.^[2]
• 1827 – First entry in a specialised dictionary.^[2]
• 1835 – First entry in a general dictionary, Raymond's.^[2]
• 1897 – English aquifer is recorded.^[10]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (geology) That carries or contains water: nappe aquifère, couche aquifère, an underground layer of water.^[8][9]
2. (botany) Storing or giving off water: cellule aquifère, stomates aquifères.^[8][9]
3. (zoology) Of the organs of aquatic animals through which water passes.^[2]

Noun

1. An aquifer, permeable ground in which underground water collects and flows.^[5][9][1]
2. A water-bearing formation at the base of an oil deposit.^[9]

Related words

• Latin aqua
• English aquifer

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Steinfeld, Nadine; Buchi, Éva, eds. (2005–), TLF-Étym: révision des notices étymologiques du Trésor de la langue française informatisé, Nancy: ATILF
3. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 25, 67b
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ 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
9. ^ a b c d e Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com