détenu

Forms

détenu (feminine détenue, masculine plural détenus, feminine plural détenues)^[1] As a noun: un détenu, feminine une détenue.^[1][2]

Etymology

Used as an adjective, it is the past participle from French détenir.^[3][4][5][2] The verb was borrowed in the 12th century from Latin dētineō (“to hold back, keep occupied”), from dē- and teneō (“to hold”), and was adapted to tenir.^[4][3][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The participle was used as an adjective from 1529, of a person held captive.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

The verb détenir meant “to seize” and then “to keep, retain”; it was used of keeping someone prisoner from 1306.^[4][3][4][3] The participle followed this sense and was turned into a noun for anyone held in a place, especially a prisoner.^[4][3] The Petit Robert dates the noun to the 18th century and the GLLF finds it in Voltaire, while the TLFi and the DHLF date it from 1826;^{[2][5][3][4][6]} Quemada's datings record it about 1700.^{[2][5][3][4][6]} Les jeunes détenus were minors held in a special institution, and by metonymy the institution itself.^[3][7]

Timeline

• 1306 – Joinville uses détenir for keeping someone prisoner.^[3][4]
• 1529 – The participle is used as an adjective.^[4][2]
• c. 1700 – The noun is recorded.^[6]
• 18th century – Voltaire uses it as a noun.^[5]
• 1826 – Mozin's dictionary records the noun.^[3][4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Detained, held in captivity: un journaliste détenu sans jugement.^[2][5]
2. (dated) Kept in someone's possession: une somme détenue injustement.^[7]

Noun

1. A person held in a place by order of the authorities, a prisoner or inmate: détenu politique, détenu de droit commun.^[2][3][1]
2. (historical) Jeunes détenus: minors held in a special institution, and the institution itself.^[3][7]

Related words

• détenir
• détention
• détenteur
• Latin dētineō

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ 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
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, 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 Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
7. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette