dromadaire

Forms

dromadaire m (plural dromadaires)^[1] Old French dromedaire.^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Old French dromedaire, borrowed from Late Latin dromedārius (“dromedary”), a 4th-century derivative of Classical Latin dromas (“dromedary”).^{[2][3][4][1][5]} The Latin word is from Ancient Greek δρομάς (dromás), short for δρομὰς κάμηλος (dromàs kámēlos, “running camel”), from δρόμος (drómos, “course, race”).^[3][2][1][6]

Compare Old Occitan dromadari, Spanish dromedario and Italian dromedario.^[6] The English word dromedary was taken from Old French and Late Latin in the late 13th century.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded between 1121 and 1135 in the Bestiaire of Philippe de Thaon, naming the one-humped camel.^[2][3] The Chanson d'Antioche (13th century) has a dromedary tout cargié de samis (“all laden with silks”).^[6]

Semantic evolution

In zoology it is opposed to chameau, but in everyday use chameau tends to cover both species.^[3] It is sometimes used figuratively of an ugly or tiresome person, a stylistic use that never became as common as the figurative chameau;^[3] Littré records grand dromadaire as a low popular insult.^[6]

Timeline

• 4th century – Late Latin dromedarius is recorded.^[3]
• 1121–1135 – Philippe de Thaon's Bestiaire has the word.^[2]
• Mid-12th century – The Roman de Thèbes uses it.^[8]
• Late 13th century – English dromedary is taken from Old French.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. A dromedary, the one-humped camel of Africa and Arabia, used as a mount and pack animal in the desert.^[2][9]
2. (figurative, rare) An ugly or tiresome person.^[3][6]

Related words

• chameau
• méhari
• Latin dromedarius

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 163a
6. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert