décomposition

Forms

décomposition f (plural décompositions)^[1]

Etymology

It is from French décomposer, formed on the model of the pair composer and composition.^[2][3][4][5] The verb, recorded from about 1516 in alchemy, adds the prefix dé- to the simple verb, a learned borrowing of Latin compōnō reshaped after poser.^[2][3] Littré instead analysed the noun as the prefix added to the simple noun, not to the verb.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in the Académie's dictionary of 1694, as a term of chemistry: the separation of a body into its component elements.^[2][7][3]

Semantic evolution

From chemistry the word spread to mechanics, with the resolution of forces (1754, in the Encyclopédie), and later to the splitting of light by a prism.^[2][8] The general sense “reduction of something complex to its simple parts”, as of an argument or a dance figure, is recorded by the Académie in 1798.^[7]

The decay of organic matter appears with the blood (1771, in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux), and this sense of putrefaction became one of the commonest uses of the word.^[2][9] The Académie records it in 1835, together with the figurative sense of deep disorganization, as of a society.^[7] Balzac used it of the features of a face distorted by emotion (1824).^[2]

Timeline

• 1694 – The Académie records it as a term of chemistry.^[2][7]
• 1754 – The Encyclopédie speaks of décomposition des forces.^[2]
• 1771 – The Dictionnaire de Trévoux records décomposition du sang.^[2]
• 1798 – The Académie records the sense “analysis into simple elements”.^[7]
• 1824 – Balzac writes of the décomposition des traits of the face.^[2]
• 1835 – The Académie records the senses of putrefaction and of deep disorganization.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. The separation of a body or substance into its constituent elements: décomposition chimique, décomposition de la lumière.^[5][2]
2. The division of a whole into its simple parts, as of a sentence or an argument.^[10][5]
3. (mathematics) The breaking down of a number or expression, as into prime factors.^[5]
4. The decay of organic matter, putrefaction: en décomposition.^[11][10]
5. The distortion of the facial features under a strong emotion.^[10][2]
6. (figurative) Deep disintegration or disorganization, as of a society.^[11][7]

Related words

• composer
• composition
• décomposable
• indécomposable
• décomposeur
• recomposer

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
9. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
11. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)