cérémonial

Forms

cérémonial (feminine cérémoniale, masculine plural cérémonials or cérémoniaux, feminine plural cérémoniales)^[1] Middle French cerimonial (1374).^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin caerimōniālis (“relating to religious ceremonies”), an adjective of the early 4th century (Arnobius), whose neuter plural was used as a noun for divine worship and its ceremonies (Isidore).^[2][3] The Latin adjective is formed from caerimōnia (“ceremony”).^[4][5] The French form was remade after cérémonie.^[3] The Grand Robert and the GLLF date the first record to 1372, the TLFi to 1374.^[4][6][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears as cerimonial in 1374, in Jean Golein's translation of the Rationale, as an adjective with the Latin sense “relating to religious ceremonies”.^[2][6][3]

Semantic evolution

In the 16th century Calvin used the adjective of the ceremonial law of the Old Testament, as distinct from its moral precepts.^[5][2] From the 17th century the word was used chiefly as a masculine noun: first for the book that sets out the rules of the Church's ceremonies (1636, Monet), then for the whole order of ceremonies with which a solemn event is celebrated (Mme de Sévigné).^[2][3][6]

In a secular sense it came to mean the formalities observed in social and diplomatic life (1740, Voltaire), whence the court ceremonial and the rules of etiquette.^[2][3][7] The adjective has become rare or old-fashioned, and cérémoniel is now used instead.^[2][7]

Timeline

• 1374 – Cerimonial is recorded as an adjective in Jean Golein's translation of the Rationale.^[2]
• 1541 – Calvin uses ceremonial “relating to religious worship” in the Institution.^[2][5]
• 1636 – Monet records the noun for the book of the Church's ceremonial rules.^[2][6]
• 17th century – Mme de Sévigné uses it for the set of ceremonies of a solemn occasion.^[2][6]
• 1740 – Voltaire uses it for the formalities of social relations.^[2][3]
• 1863 – Littré records the derivative cérémonialisme.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. The established set and order of ceremonies for an occasion, as at a court or in diplomacy; protocol, etiquette.^[7][6]
2. (religion) A book containing the liturgical rules of church ceremonies.^[7][6]
3. (dated) The forms and rules of politeness and courtesy.^[7][2]

Adjective

1. (rare or old-fashioned) Relating to religious ceremonies: loi cérémoniale “ceremonial law”.^[7][2]

Word family

• cérémonialisme

Related words

• cérémonie
• cérémonieux
• cérémoniel
• Latin caerimōnia

Usage notes

The masculine plural of the noun is cérémonials; the plural cérémoniaux is exceptional.^[7][2]

References

1. ^ a b 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 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d e f g Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert