détérioration

Forms

détérioration f (plural détériorations)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin dēteriōrātiō (“action of making worse”),^[2][3][1] from the supine of dēteriōrō (“to make worse”),^[4][5] from dēterior (“worse”).^[6] Wiktionary notes that it can also be analysed as from French détériorer + -ation.^[1] Littré records deteriorement and deteriorité in Oudin.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in the 15th century, in Alain Bouchard's Chroniques de Bretagne (edition of 1532), for the action of damaging something.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The word was rare until the 18th century.^[3][4] The Civil Code of 1804 uses it of damage to a thing sold before delivery.^[2] It came to be used figuratively of a situation that grows worse, social or political, and in psychiatry détérioration mentale is a weakening of the mental faculties.^[5][6]

Timeline

• 15th century – First recorded, in Bouchard's chronicle.^[2]
• 1804 – Used in the Civil Code.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. The act of damaging something, or the fact of being damaged; the damage itself: la détérioration d'un moteur.^[6][2]
2. (figurative) A decline, a worsening: la détérioration du climat social.^[6][5]
3. (psychiatry) Détérioration mentale: a weakening of the mental faculties.^[6][5]

Related words

• détériorer
• Latin dēterior

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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. (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. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette