commode

Forms

commode (plural commodes)^[1] As a noun commode is feminine: une commode.^[2][1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin commodus (“fitting, suitable, convenient”), borrowed in 1475.^[3][4][5][6] The Latin adjective is formed from cum (“with”) and modus (“measure”): it meant properly "of the right measure", hence "suitable, opportune" and, of people, "obliging, kindly".^[4][2]

The noun meaning "chest of drawers" (1705) is the adjective used as a noun, short for armoire commode "convenient cupboard".^[2][7][5]

Littré compares Italian comodo and Spanish cómodo.^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1475, in the chronicle of the canons of Neuchâtel, in commode voye “an easy road”, with the sense “easy”.^[3]

Semantic evolution

The adjective was soon applied to anything well suited to its use (lieu commode, before 1520), and about 1580 also to what was advantageous or profitable.^[3][4][9] Of people it first meant well-off (1603), a sense that faded in the 17th century, then easy-going (1654) and complaisant (1656); the last survives mainly in the negative pas commode, of a stern, overbearing person, often a superior.^[4][9] Pascal's doctrine commode (1656) is a lax doctrine, lacking rigour.^[3] A moral sense, of someone who tolerates another person's misconduct (Molière, 1661), was later taken over by complaisant.^[4][3]

The noun for a piece of furniture appears early in the 18th century (1705 in the Robert, 1708 in an inventory of Versailles, 1703 in Quebec), for a storage piece smaller and lighter than earlier ones.^[2][10][4] A dictionary of 1760 still called it a new invention that had quickly become common.^[8] In France it is a chest of drawers at elbow height, in Canada a tall chest of drawers.^[4] English took it as commode, first (1680s) for a tall lady's headdress, then (1786) for a chest of drawers.^[11]

Timeline

• 1475 – First record, commode voye “easy road”.^[3]
• Before 1520 – Lieu commode “suitable place” in Seyssel.^[3]
• c. 1580 – It means “advantageous, profitable”.^[4][9]
• 1603 – It is used of a well-off person.^[4]
• 1654 – It describes an easy-going character.^[4][9]
• 1656 – Pascal speaks of a doctrine commode, a lax doctrine.^[3]
• 1661 – Molière uses it for complaisant people.^[3]
• 1703 – The noun is recorded in Quebec.^[4]
• 1705 – The noun “chest of drawers” appears.^[2][7][5]
• 1708 – The noun appears in an inventory of the château of Versailles.^[10]
• 1786 – The English noun commode is recorded for a chest of drawers.^[11]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Convenient, well suited to its use: un sac commode pour la randonnée.^[7][3][1]
2. Easy, simple: ce problème n'est pas commode à résoudre.^[7] (ironic) C'est trop commode: said of an easy way out that ignores the rules.^[7][8]
3. Of a person, easy-going, accommodating.^[4] Now mostly in the negative: il n'est pas commode, he is stern and hard to deal with.^[4][7]
4. (dated, pejorative) Lax, lacking rigour: une doctrine commode.^[3]

Noun

1. A chest of drawers at elbow height: une commode Louis XVI.^[7][1] Commode à langer: a changing table.^[7][1]
2. (Canada) A tall chest of drawers.^[4]
3. (Louisiana) A toilet.^[1]

Word family

• commodément

Related words

• commodité
• mode
• Latin commodus
• English commode

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 2, 957b
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
10. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
11. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com