Etymologically
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considérer

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /kɔ̃.si.de.ʁe/[1]

Forms

considérer[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin cōnsīderō (“to examine closely, look at attentively; to reflect on”), formed with cum on sīdus (“constellation, star”).[2][3][4][5][1] Rey takes it to have been a verb of the language of augury or seafaring, like contemplor, which became secular in the sense “to look at attentively, reflect on”, Littré too links it with watching the stars.[3][6] It replaced the inherited Old French doublet consirer (“to reflect”).[3][4]

Compare Old Occitan cossirar, Spanish considerar and Italian considerare.[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is recorded in the Vie de saint François (1241–57) without example, Brunetto Latini (about 1265) uses it for looking at something attentively and, figuratively, for examining with care.[2][3] The GLLF and the Petit Robert date it from 1150.[7][8]

Semantic evolution

In the 14th century Bersuire and Oresme use it often: Vous considerastes que le peuple romain….[6] Commynes (before 1511) has considérer que “to judge that”, Corneille (1643) “to hold in esteem”, and the Académie (1835) the construction considérer comme “to regard as”.[2][3] Tout bien considéré means “all things considered”, and the present participle considérant became a noun in the legal sense “preamble, whereas” (1792).[8][2]

Timeline

  • 1241–1257 – Vie de saint François.[2]
  • c. 1265 – “To look at attentively”, Brunetto Latini.[2]
  • Before 1511 – Considérer que, Commynes.[2]
  • 1643 – “To esteem”, Corneille.[2]
  • 1792 – Considérant as a noun.[2]
  • 1835 – Considérer comme, Académie.[2]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To look at attentively, contemplate: considérer quelqu'un avec dédain.[8][1]
  2. To consider, examine, weigh: considérer le pour et le contre, tout bien considéré.[8][1]
  3. Considérer comme: to regard as: je le considère comme un ami.[1][2]
  4. Considérer que: to think, judge that.[2][8]
  5. To esteem, think highly of: être très considéré.[2][3]

Word family

  • considérant
  • reconsidérer

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 2, 1067b
  6. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  7. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  8. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert