codex

Forms

codex m (invariable)^[1] First borrowed in the form codice “book, treatise” (1512).^[2]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin cōdex (“writing tablet, register, book”).^[2][1][3] The pharmaceutical use is short for the Latin title of the official formulary of France, of which it is the first word.^[4][5] The same Latin word had earlier given French code.^[6][3][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

A first borrowing codice meant “book, treatise” in 1512, and is still found in the early 17th century (Tabarin).^[2]

Semantic evolution

The Latin word itself was taken up in 1651 for a collection of pharmaceutical formulas approved by the Paris faculty of medicine.^[6][2][4] A law of 1803 made it the official formulary of medicines.^[2] From 1748 to 1963 the official French list of drugs and preparations bore the name; since then it has been called the pharmacopée.^[2][4]

From 1838 the word is used of ancient books made of bound leaves, as against the roll (volumen).^[6][2] The Académie's supplement of 1842 defines it as the wooden tablets on which the Romans wrote.^[2] From this sense came codicologie, the study of manuscript books as objects.^[6]

Timeline

• 1512 – Codice “book, treatise” is recorded.^[2]
• 1651 – Codex is used in pharmacy.^[2][4][6]
• 1803 – A law makes the codex the official formulary of medicines.^[2]
• 1838 – First used of ancient books opposed to rolls.^[2][6]
• 1963 – The official title becomes pharmacopée française.^[2][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (pharmacy) The official collection of drug formulas and authorised medicines; the former name of the French pharmacopoeia.^[7][8][5]
2. (history) A codex: an ancient or medieval book of leaves, usually parchment, sewn and bound together, as opposed to the scroll.^[2][8]

Adjective

1. (invariable) Of a product: exactly meeting the official standards set for medicines.^[5]

Word family

• codicologie

Related words

• code
• Latin cōdex

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 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)