constamment

Forms

constamment (invariable)^[1] Middle French constanment.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is formed from French constant + -ment.^[4][1][5] The adjective is from Latin cōnstāns (“firm, unshaken”), from cōnstō (“to stand firm”).^[4][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found, as constanment, in 1414, and in the 15th century servir constamment meant to serve someone with constance, steadfastly.^[4][3][2] The GLLF dates it to the end of the 14th century, in the sense of remaining faithful to an affection or a resolve.^[7]

Semantic evolution

The adverb slid gradually from “firmly” through “with perseverance” to “invariably, continually” (1690, Furetière), and in the 20th century to “all the time”.^[3][4] Furetière also gives it in 1690 the sense “certainly, beyond doubt”, matching the impersonal il est constant que “it is established that”; this use was old-fashioned by the 19th century.^[4][3][5]

Timeline

• 1414 – First recorded, as constanment.^[4][2]
• 1440–1475 – Chastellain writes servir constamment “to serve steadfastly”.^[4]
• 16th century – Montaigne uses it for bearing a loss with firmness.^[5]
• 1690 – Furetière records the senses “invariably” and “certainly”.^[4][3]
• 1835 – The Académie marks the sense “certainly” as old-fashioned.^[4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Constantly, continually, all the time: Il pleut constamment depuis lundi.^[8][9][1]
2. (dated) With constance, firmly or with perseverance.^[4][7]
3. (obsolete) Certainly, beyond doubt.^[4][5]

Related words

• constant
• constance

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ 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
5. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)