diplomatie

Forms

diplomatie f (plural diplomaties)^[1]

Etymology

It is a derivative from French diplomatique, formed on the model of the pair aristocratique and aristocratie.^{[2][3][4][1][5]} That adjective (1708) is from New Latin diplomaticus, from the title of Mabillon's “De re diplomatica” (1681), a derivative of diploma in the sense “charter, official document” (whence diplôme).^[3] The adjective came to mean “relating to international relations” by 1777, the step that made the noun possible.^[2][3] The noun diplomate was formed in the same way in 1789, on the model of aristocrate.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1790, in an address to the National Assembly printed in the Moniteur: tout l'art de la diplomatie “all the art of diplomacy”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The figurative sense “skill in handling a delicate matter with tact” is found from the start, in a letter of Madame de Staël (1790), beside the proper sense “science and practice of relations between states”.^[2][3] By metonymy it named the diplomatic career (1791) and the body of diplomats.^[2][3] The GLLF dates the first senses to 1791, in Linguet.^[5]

Timeline

• 1708 – Diplomatique names the study of charters.^[3][2]
• 1777 – Linguet uses diplomatique of relations between states.^[2][3]
• 1789 – Diplomate is formed.^[3]
• 1790 – Diplomatie appears in an address to the National Assembly, and in its figurative sense in Madame de Staël.^[2]
• 1791 – It names the diplomatic career.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The branch of politics concerned with relations between states: the conduct of negotiations and the representation of a government abroad; diplomacy.^[6][7]
2. The diplomatic career, and the body of diplomates.^[6][7][2]
3. The foreign policy of a country or government.^[7]
4. (figurative) Skill and tact in handling a delicate matter or conversation.^[6][7][2]

Related words

• diplomatique
• diplomate
• diplôme
• Latin diploma

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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 h i j 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. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)