détonation

Forms

détonation f (plural détonations)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French détoner + -ation, on the stem of the verb.^[2][3][4] Détoner, first spelled with ⟨nn⟩, is from Latin dētonō (“to thunder loudly”),^[2][3][5] an intensive compound of tonō (“to thunder”) with the prefix dē-.^[3] Etymonline traces the noun to Medieval Latin detonatio.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi and the GLLF date it to Furetière's dictionary of 1690, as the sudden noise of something that detonates, and the chemists' sense of a very rapid decomposition of an explosive.^[2][7] Bloch and Wartburg, followed by the Robert dictionaries, give 1676 instead.^[5][4][8][3]

Semantic evolution

The word names the sudden, more or less loud noise made by something that explodes, such as gunpowder, a gun or a shell.^[2][9] By extension it was used from the late 19th century of any violent noise like an explosion, as in Daudet's détonations de la mer on the reefs.^[7][2] In science it is the mechanism by which some explosions spread at very high speed.^[8]

The verb also gave détonateur (1874) for the device that sets off an explosive, and the adjective détonant (1729).^[3] The spelling of the group long wavered under the influence of tonner and détonner “to sing out of tune”.^[3] English took the word from French in the 1670s as detonation.^[6]

Timeline

• 1679 – Richelet records the verb, spelled détonner.^[2]
• 1690 – Furetière records détonation.^[2][7][3]
• Late 19th century – Daudet uses it of any violent noise.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. A sudden, loud bang made by something that explodes, especially a gunshot: la détonation d'un canon.^[8][2]
2. A violent noise that recalls an explosion.^[2][7]
3. (science) A very rapid decomposition of an explosive, spreading as a shock wave.^[7][8]

Related words

• détoner
• détonateur
• tonner
• Latin dētonō
• English detonation

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 f g 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette