diamant

Forms

diamant m (plural diamants)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Late Latin diamas (“diamond”), a form recorded on curse tablets, probably a metathesis of *adimas (the source of aimant) under the influence of Greek words beginning with διά (diá).^[2][3][4] The classical Latin form is adamās (“steel, diamond”), from Ancient Greek ἀδάμας (adámas), first “iron, steel”, then “diamond”.^[5][6] Littré explains the Greek word as “that cannot be tamed”, from the privative ἀ- (a-) and δαμάω (damáō, “to tame”).^[7]

Cognate with Italian diamante, Spanish diamante, Portuguese diamante, Occitan diaman, Catalan diamant and Romanian diamant.^[8][7][9] The English word diamond was borrowed from French in the 14th century.^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Floire et Blancheflor (late 12th century), in a list of precious stones: Diamanz et amacites.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

The word has always named the precious stone.^[4] From 1549 pointe de diamant was a glazier's tool tipped with a diamond, which diamant alone named by 1676.^[2][4] Figurative uses draw on the stone's brilliance (late 15th century), its hardness (1625, Racan), its purity and its price;^[6] hence croqueuse de diamants, a woman who spends lavishly.^[4]

In New Caledonia and in ornithology diamant de Nouméa names a bright green bird with a red head and breast.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1170 – Floire et Blancheflor lists diamanz among precious stones.^[6][2]
• 14th century – The English word diamond is borrowed.^[8]
• 1482 – Diamantaire is first used, for a diamond merchant.^[4]
• 1549 – Pointe de diamant names a glazier's tool.^[2]
• 1676 – Félibien uses diamant alone for the tool.^[2]
• 1782 – Diamanté “set with diamonds” appears.^[4][10]

Meanings

Noun

1. A diamond, the hardest mineral, a crystal of pure carbon.^[8][2]
2. A cut diamond used as a gem: un diamant de deux carats.^[2][8]
3. A glazier's tool tipped with a diamond for cutting glass.^[2][4]
4. The stylus of a record player.^[1]

Word family

• diamantaire
• diamanter
• diamantifère
• diamantin
• diamanté

Related words

• aimant
• adamantin
• Latin adamās
• English diamond

Usage notes

In printing, diamant was also the name of a very small type size, borrowed from Dutch diamant and said to have been named by Dirck Voskens, who first cut it around 1700.^[1]

References

1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 24, 132b
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Meyer-Lübke, Wilhelm (1935), Romanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, 3rd ed., Heidelberg: Winter, p. 142
10. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France