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carcinogène

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Etymology and origin of the French word carcinogène

Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1920–1924 Roussy, Nouveau traité de médecine More words from the 20th century
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek καρκίνος,γεννάω

Pronunciation

  • /kaʁ.si.nɔ.ʒɛn/[1]

Forms

carcinogène m (plural carcinogènes)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French carcino- + -gène.[2][3][1] The prefix comes from Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkínos, “crab, cancer”), and the suffix from γεννάω (gennáō, “to beget”).[4][2] English carcinogen (1853) was formed separately, from carcinoma and -gen.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is in Roussy's chapter of the Nouveau traité de médecine (1920–1924), on the cancer-causing influence of coal.[2]

Semantic evolution

The word belongs to medical and scientific language.[3][6] It competes with cancérigène and cancérogène, and the Petit Robert also gives oncogène as a synonym.[2][3][6] The Grand Robert notes the occasional form carcinogénétique.[3] Used as a noun, it means a carcinogen.[1][7]

Timeline

  • 1853 – English carcinogen is recorded.[5]
  • 1920–1924 – Roussy uses carcinogène in the Nouveau traité de médecine.[2]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (medicine) Carcinogenic, that causes or may cause cancer.[3][6][8]

Noun

  1. (medicine) A carcinogen.[1][7]
  • cancérigène
  • cancérogène
  • carcinome
  • Ancient Greek καρκίνος (karkínos)
  • English carcinogen

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
  5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  8. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Carcinogène.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/carcinog%C3%A8ne. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·