aristocrate

Forms

aristocrate (plural aristocrates)^[1]

Etymology

It is a back-formation from French aristocratie (“aristocracy”).^[1][2][3][4] Rey also allows that it may have been taken from a late Greek form of the same family.^[5]

That noun, recorded in Oresme in 1370, is from Ancient Greek ἀριστοκρατία (aristokratía, “rule of the best”), which reached French through the Latin translations of Aristotle.^[6][4] The Greek word is made of ἄριστος (áristos, “best”) and a second element related to κράτος (krátos, “strength”).^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in 1550 for a member of the aristocracy, but this is an isolated record: the word seems not to have been used again until 1778.^[2][5][3]

Semantic evolution

Revived in 1778, in Linguet,^[8][4] the word passed in Beaumarchais from “a noble” to “a supporter of the nobility”, and during the Revolution (1790) to “a supporter of the Ancien Régime”: the aristocrates promised to the lamp-post in the revolutionary song were not all nobles, and there was even talk of an aristocrate bourgeois in 1793.^[5] After the Revolution it went back to meaning a member of the nobility, and in the 19th century popular speech shortened it to aristo (1848).^[5][7]

Since the middle of the 20th century it has also been used of anyone who stands out by uncommon quality, though this sense is less usual than for aristocratique.^[5] As an adjective it is recorded from 1836, in Stendhal.^[6][9] In the French of the Antilles the adjective describes a pretentious, haughty person.^[5]

Timeline

• 1370 – Oresme uses aristocratie for government by the nobles.^[6]
• 1550 – An isolated first record of aristocrate, “member of the aristocracy”.^[2][5]
• 1778 – The word is taken up again, in Linguet.^[8][4]
• 1790 – It means a supporter of the Ancien Régime.^[5]
• 1793 – Aristocrate bourgeois is recorded.^[5]
• 1836 – Used as an adjective by Stendhal.^[6][9]
• 1848 – The clipped form aristo appears.^[5]
• Mid-20th century – Used of a person of outstanding quality.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. A supporter of aristocracy as a form of government.^[3][6]
2. (history, often pejorative) During the French Revolution, a supporter of the Ancien Régime and its privileges, whether noble or not.^[3][6]
3. A member of the nobility, a noble; familiarly shortened to aristo: elle a des manières d'aristocrate.^[3][8][10]
4. A member of an élite, someone who stands out from the common run.^[3][8]

Adjective

1. Aristocratic, belonging to or typical of the nobility, often with a pejorative tone: un nom aristocrate.^[6][1][10]
2. (figurative) Refined, distinguished.^[6]

Word family

• aristo

Related words

• aristocratie
• aristocratique
• démocrate

Usage notes

Aristocrate is the opposite of démocrate in the Petit Robert.^[3] The revolutionary song line Les aristocrates à la lanterne ! (“String the aristocrats up on the lamp-posts!”) is quoted by the Petit Robert.^[3]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ 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
7. ^ a b Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
8. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
10. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette