compréhensible

Forms

compréhensible (plural compréhensibles)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin comprehēnsibilis (“perceptible by the senses or the mind”),^[2][3][4][1] from comprehendō (“to grasp, understand”),^[3][5][6] through its supine comprehēnsum.^[7] The verb is the source of comprendre.^[5][8] incompréhensible was borrowed in the same period, in 1377, from incomprehēnsibilis.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Raoul de Presles uses it in 1375 in his translation of Augustine's City of God, though the TLFi cites the passage from a printed edition of 1531.^[2][3][7] In the 15th century Georges Chastellain writes chose intelligible et compréhensible, of something the mind can grasp.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The word first meant what the mind can take in or grasp.^[2] Today it is used both of what can be understood easily, such as a message or a way of speaking, and of behaviour whose causes or motives can be explained, and so excused.^[7][6][2] Picoche dates it to the 15th century and lists it with the learned members of the family of prendre.^[8]

Timeline

• 1375 – Raoul de Presles uses it in his Cité de Dieu.^[2][3]
• 1377 – incompréhensible is first recorded.^[4]
• 15th century – Chastellain writes chose intelligible et compréhensible.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That can be understood, intelligible, clear: une explication compréhensible pour tous.^[6][7][5]
2. That can be explained and so is understandable or excusable: une réaction bien compréhensible.^[6][7]

Related words

• incompréhensible
• compréhension
• compréhensif
• comprendre
• Latin comprehēnsibilis

Usage notes

Impersonally, il est compréhensible que takes the subjunctive.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, 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 Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)