baromètre

Forms

baromètre m (plural baromètres)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from English barometer, a word coined by Robert Boyle in 1665–1666 and published in the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions.^[2][3][4] The English word was formed from Ancient Greek βάρος (báros, “weight, heaviness”) and μέτρον (métron, “measure”).^[2][5][6] The Grand Robert describes the French word as formed with baro- and -mètre after the English model,^[7] and Wiktionary calls it a calque.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded on 26 April 1666, in a French extract of the Journal d'Angleterre reporting Boyle's letter on the baroscope, which says that le baroscope ou baromètre is nothing else than the instrument it describes, one for measuring the pressure of the air.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Baroscope, the earlier English name of the instrument, at first competed with it; in 1676 Mariotte accepted Boyle's term in preference to baroscope.^[2] The Académie in 1718 noted that the barometer was used to foresee rain or fine weather.^[2] By 1738 the word was used figuratively of anything that shows a state of affairs: d'Argenson called the foreign exchange the barometer of trade.^[2][5]

In 1894 it was a joking name for the badge worn by members of parliament.^[2][8] Plants that react to the weather were also called barometers: the pimpernel, which closes its flowers before rain, was baromètre du pauvre homme (1866), and in 1897 the name was given to a thistle.^[2] The adjective barométrique dates from 1752.^[3]

Timeline

• 1665–1666 – Boyle's English barometer is published.^[2][3]
• 1666 – First French record, in the Journal d'Angleterre.^[2][7]
• 1676 – Mariotte adopts the term rather than baroscope.^[2]
• 1718 – Recorded by the Académie.^[2]
• 1738 – First figurative use, by d'Argenson.^[2]
• 1752 – The adjective barométrique appears.^[3]
• 1866 – Baromètre du pauvre homme names the pimpernel.^[2]
• 1894 – Jokingly used for a deputy's badge.^[2][8]

Meanings

Noun

1. A barometer, an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure, used especially to forecast the weather: un baromètre à mercure.^[5][2][9] Le baromètre est au beau fixe: the barometer is set fair.^[5][9]
2. (figurative) Something that responds to changes and shows the state of a situation, an indicator.^[5][4]
3. (botany) A popular name for plants that react to the weather: baromètre du pauvre homme, the pimpernel.^[2]
4. (dated, humorous) The badge of a member of parliament.^[2][8]

Word family

• barométrique

Related words

• baroscope
• mètre¹
• English barometer

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
9. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette