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dégager

Etymology and origin of the French word dégager

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1174–76, Guernes de Pont-Sainte-Maxence (desguagier)
Ultimate origin
Frankish (*waddi)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
French gage
French dégager
French engager

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /de.ɡa.ʒe/[1]

Forms

dégager[1] Old French desguagier, desgagier.[2][3]

Etymology

It is from French dé- + gage with the verb ending “-er”.[2][3][4][1][5] The noun gage “pledge” is from Frankish *waddi, compare Gothic 𐍅𐌰𐌳𐌹 (wadi, “pledge”).[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Guernes de Pont-Sainte-Maxence (1174–76) says that Becket could not redeem his pledges, nes fist desguagier: to take back what was pawned.[2][7]

Semantic evolution

The literal sense is now dated or technical, but it explains the figurative ones: to release, set free (Conon de Béthune, 1180–1220) and to get someone out of a difficult position (1585).[2][3] Freeing literally gave “to clear, uncover” (second half of the 13th century), and a garment that dégage the neck (Académie, 1718); dégagé “easy, relaxed” is in Molière (1669).[2][3]

In the 19th century chemistry used it for giving off a gas or smell (1821), and algebra for isolating an unknown (1835), whence dégager une idée, une conclusion.[2][3] Football uses it for clearing the ball (1937), and vulgar French dégage ! means “get out!”.[8][1]

Timeline

  • 1174–76 – Desguagier “to redeem a pledge”.[2]
  • 1180–1220 – To release, Conon de Béthune.[2]
  • second half of the 13th century – To clear, uncover.[2]
  • 1585 – To extricate, Noël du Fail.[2]
  • 1669 – Dégagé “at ease”, Molière.[2]
  • 1821 – To give off (chemistry).[2]
  • 1835 – Dégager l'inconnue.[2]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To free, release, extricate: dégager un blessé, dégager qqn d'une promesse.[9][1]
  2. To clear: dégager le passage, dégager la table, (football) to clear (the ball).[1][8]
  3. To give off, emit: dégager une odeur, dégager de la chaleur.[1][2]
  4. To bring out, draw (an idea, a conclusion).[1][2]
  5. To redeem (a pledge); dégager sa responsabilité, to disclaim responsibility; to release (funds).[9][1]
  6. (vulgar, intransitive) To clear off: dégage !.[1]
  7. Se dégager: to free oneself; to emerge, le ciel se dégage, it is clearing up.[9][2]

Word family

  • dégagement
  • dégagé

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ 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. 17, 443b
  6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
  9. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
Cite this entry

“Dégager.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/d%C3%A9gager. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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