enthousiasme

Forms

enthousiasme m (plural enthousiasmes)^[1]

Etymology

It is a learned borrowing of the Renaissance, borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιασμός (enthousiasmós, “divine possession, divine transport”).^[2][3][4] Bloch and Wartburg ascribe the borrowing to the poets of the Pléiade.^[5] Wiktionary has it pass through Latin enthusiasmus.^[1]

The Greek noun is formed on ἐνθουσιάζω (enthousiázō, “to be inspired by a god”), from ἔνθους (énthous), the contracted form of ἔνθεος (éntheos, “inspired by a god”), a compound of ἐν (en, “in”) and θεός (theós, “god”).^[2][3][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Rabelais is the first to use it, in 1546 in the prologue to the Tiers Livre, for the sacred frenzy of one who speaks for a god and for the poet's transport under inspiration.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In the 16th century the word kept the Greek sense, the frenzy of the Pythia or the Sibyl, and was extended to the exaltation of the inspired poet;^[3][2] from this comes a literary use for the force that drives a person to create.^[3] Bloch and Wartburg describe how overuse gradually brought the word down from the poet's ecstasy to a level within everyone's reach.^[5]

In 1664 Molière uses it in the modern sense of an exaltation that makes one act with joy, and in 1689 Madame de Sévigné for passionate admiration.^[2][3] Since the 17th century it has also been said of a collective emotion.^[3] The derivatives are enthousiaste (1544, from Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιαστής (enthousiastḗs)) and enthousiasmer (1629).^[5]

Timeline

• 1546 – Rabelais uses enthousiasme in the Tiers Livre.^[2][5]
• 1627 – D'Urfé uses it for a frenzy inspired by a god.^[7]
• 1629 – The verb enthousiasmer appears.^[5]
• 1664 – Molière uses it for joyful exaltation.^[2][3]
• 1689 – Madame de Sévigné uses it for passionate admiration.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (antiquity) The sacred frenzy of a person possessed and inspired by a god, as the Pythia.^[8][2][6]
2. (literary) The exaltation of a poet or artist under inspiration, the creative impulse.^[8][6]
3. An intense emotion that drives one to act with joy, eagerness or zeal: Il a répondu sans enthousiasme..^[8][1]
4. Passionate admiration: Le concert a soulevé l'enthousiasme du public.^[8][2]
5. Joyful excitement: Elle a accepté l'invitation avec enthousiasme.^[8]

Word family

• enthousiasmer
• enthousiaste

Related words

• théologie
• athée
• Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιασμός (enthousiasmós)
• English enthusiasm

References

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