Etymologically
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enfin

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɑ̃.fɛ̃/[1]

Forms

enfin[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French en + fin, literally “in the end”, first written separately, “en fin”.[2][3][1][4] The noun fin continues Latin fīnis (“end”).[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1119 Philippe de Thaon's Comput has en fin to sum up what has been said, after a list, as a logical conclusion.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In classical French it came to mark the end of a long wait, with a feeling of relief: Corneille's Mais enfin sa clarté montre notre avantage (Le Cid, 1636).[2][3] It also introduces the last item of a list, and is used with feeling to express anger or impatience (enfin, taisez-vous !).[3][6]

In 1792 it served to introduce a restriction or correction (dans la semaine… enfin), a use that spread in the 20th century, as did the exclamation of resignation (enfin !).[2][3] Enfin bref is found as early as 1745.[7]

Timeline

  • 1119 – En fin in Philippe de Thaon's Comput.[2]
  • c. 1130 – Enfin in Eneas.[6]
  • 1636 – “At last”, in Corneille's Le Cid.[2]
  • 1745 – Enfin, bref.[7]
  • 1792 – Introducing a correction, in Collin d'Harleville.[2]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. At last, finally, after a long wait: vous voilà enfin ![8][1]
  2. finally, lastly, in a series: d'abord la mère, puis les enfants, enfin le père.[8][9]
  3. In short, to sum up: enfin bref.[8][7]
  4. Or rather, well: corrects what has just been said: elle est blonde, enfin plutôt rousse.[8][1]
  5. After all: il n'est pas sot, enfin.[6]

Interjection

  1. At last!; also expressing impatience or resignation: enfin ![1][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 561a
  5. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ a b c Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
  8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  9. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)