Etymologically
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bombe

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 17:27. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /bɔ̃b/[1]

Forms

bombe f (plural bombes)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Italian bomba,[2][3][4][5][1] found in Medieval Latin for an incendiary dart (about 1452) and later for an explosive device.[3] The Italian word is either an independent imitative formation or comes from Latin bombus (“booming noise”),[3][5][6][7] like bombarde.[4][8]

Earliest recorded meaning

Oudin's dictionary (1640) has it for a hollow iron ball filled with powder and fired from a mortar, its fuse lit by the charge.[9][8][2]

Semantic evolution

The history of the word follows that of artillery: the mortar shell, then the bomb dropped from aircraft, then any explosive device.[3][10] Bombe atomique appeared in 1945, followed by the bombe H and the neutron bomb.[3] Tomber comme une bombe “to arrive out of the blue” is used by Mme de Sévigné in 1689.[3][9]

Round shapes gave the bombe glacée, an ice-cream dessert frozen in a domed mould,[1] a riding helmet,[11][12] and the aerosol can.[1][11] In familiar French une bombe is a strikingly attractive person.[1]

Timeline

  • about 1452 – Medieval Latin bomba, an incendiary dart.[3]
  • 1640 – French bombe (Oudin).[9][5]
  • 1689 – Tomber comme une bombe.[3]
  • 1701 – The verb bomber “to make convex”.[4]
  • 1945 – Bombe atomique.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A bomb, an explosive device or projectile: bombe à retardement “time bomb”.[10][1]
  2. An aerosol can, a spray.[1][11]
  3. A domed ice-cream dessert, bombe glacée.[1]
  4. A hard riding helmet.[11]
  5. (colloquial) A very attractive person; a bombshell.[1]

Word family

  • bomber

Usage notes

A second bombe, in familiar faire la bombe “to go on a spree”, is a shortening of bombance “feasting” (1881).[5][10][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b 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 h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
  7. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 1, 431a
  8. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  9. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  10. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  11. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  12. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF