conforme

Forms

conforme (plural conformes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin cōnfōrmis (“similar”).^[2][3][1][4] The Latin adjective is formed from cum (“with”) and fōrma (“form”).^[5][6][7] It belongs with conformer, from Latin cōnfōrmō, and conformité, from Late Latin cōnfōrmitās.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1372 in Jean Corbichon's translation of the Propriétés des choses, meaning “similar”.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

The sense “in keeping with” followed in the 15th century, in Chastellain (courage conforme a ton estat).^[2][3][6] It is used alone or with a complement in à.^[3] Classical French also used it for “uniform” (Bossuet, 1681) and “consistent” (Pascal, 1657).^[6] The formula pour copie conforme certifies that a copy is exact.^[7][6] The word also took on technical senses in mathematics and topography.^[3]

Timeline

• 1372 – Corbichon uses it for “similar”.^[2][6]
• 15th century – Chastellain uses it for “in keeping with”.^[2][3]
• 1503 – The adverb conformément is recorded.^[3]
• 1657 – Pascal uses it for “consistent”.^[6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Having the same form as a model, identical: copie conforme à l'original; used alone of a document certified to be exact.^[8][2][7]
2. In accordance with something, suited to it: un résultat conforme aux attentes.^[8][7][1]
3. Used alone: in line with the norm or the majority, conformist.^[8]

Word family

• conformément

Related words

• conformer
• conformité
• forme
• Late Latin cōnfōrmis

Usage notes

Pour copie conforme is the set formula written at the foot of a copy to certify it.^[7][6]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 2, 1043b
5. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert