Etymologically
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cri

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Pronunciation

Forms

cri m (plural cris)[1]

Etymology

It is a deverbal noun from French crier (“to cry, shout”).[2][3][4][5][1] “Crier” continues a popular Latin Vulgar Latin *crītō, a reduction of Latin quirītō (“to cry out, wail”), of imitative origin, Varro's derivation from “Quirītēs”, the Roman citizens, “to call the citizens”, is a mere play on words.[5][6]

Compare Italian grido, Spanish grito and Old Occitan crit.[5][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the Passion of Clermont (late 10th century) criz is a sound uttered loudly by the human voice, as a call.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The Chanson de Roland has le hu et le cri of battle, and the Laws of William sanz suite et cri.[7] The cries of animals are in Philippe de Thaon (1120–35).[2] About 1165–76 Chrétien de Troyes used it for reputation, mostly bad, public outcry; about 1230 a public proclamation, a ban, and in the 13th century the calls of Paris street sellers (Crieries de Paris).[2][7] À cor et à cri is found before 1510.[2] Racine used it figuratively (1691).[2] Le dernier cri, the latest fashion, appears in Courteline (1892).[2]

Timeline

  • Late 10th century – Criz, Passion of Clermont.[2]
  • c. 1100 – Le hu et le cri, Chanson de Roland.[7]
  • 1120–35 – Animal cries, Philippe de Thaon.[2]
  • 1165–76 – Reputation, outcry, Chrétien de Troyes.[2]
  • c. 1230 – A proclamation.[2]
  • Before 1510 – À cor et à cri.[2]
  • 1892 – Du dernier cri.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A cry, shout, scream: pousser un cri, un cri de douleur, le premier cri of a newborn.[8][1]
  2. The call of an animal: le cri de la chouette.[9]
  3. A call, a slogan: cri de guerre, cri du cœur, à grands cris.[4][8]
  4. (literary) An outcry, protest: un cri d'indignation.[2][4]
  5. Le dernier cri: the latest fashion: un téléphone dernier cri.[2]
  • crier
  • criard
  • s'écrier
  • décrier
  • Latin quirītō

Usage notes

A separate word cri, adjective and noun, names the Cree people of Canada and their language.[10][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  5. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  6. ^ Meyer-Lübke, Wilhelm (1935), Romanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, 3rd ed., Heidelberg: Winter
  7. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b 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)
  10. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert