Etymologically
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complètement

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /kɔ̃.plɛt.mɑ̃/[1]

Forms

complètement[1] The Académie wrote complétement from 1762 to 1835, complètement from 1878, Littré remarked that it was the only adverb from an adjective in -et spelt with an acute accent.[2]

Etymology

It is from French complet + -ment, from the feminine of complet (“complete”).[2][3][4][1] The TLFi notes a slight chronological gap, as the adjective is first recorded later.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in the second half of the 13th century, in the Légende de Girart de Roussillon.[2]

Semantic evolution

It was rare before the 18th century: the Trévoux dictionary of 1732 cites an example from La Fontaine but thinks the word unused, fit only for a playful or burlesque style.[2] It is now the common adverb of completeness and, by extension, of degree (complètement fou).[5][6]

Timeline

  • 2nd half of the 13th century – First found.[2]
  • 1732 – Trévoux records it as unusual.[2]
  • 1762 – The Académie spells it complétement.[2]
  • 1878 – The Académie spells it complètement.[2]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. completely, entirely, from beginning to end: lire un ouvrage complètement, être complètement guéri.[6][5]
  2. Utterly, quite: il est complètement fou.[5][6]

Usage notes

A separate noun complètement, formed from compléter (1750–51), means the act of completing; it is rare except in psychology (test de complètement) and topography.[2][3][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  5. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert