entièrement

Forms

entièrement^[1] Old French also had entirement.^[2]

Etymology

It is formed from French entier (“entire, whole”) + -ment.^[3][1][4][5] The adjective goes back to entier, from Latin integer (“untouched, whole”).^[1][6]

Compare Old Occitan entieramen, Catalan enterament, Spanish enteramente and Italian interamente.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in Wace's Brut in 1155.^[3][5]

Semantic evolution

In the 12th century the Châtelain de Coucy used it for giving oneself wholly to the beloved: Qui tout me done a vous entierement.^[2][7] The Grand Larousse dates the sense “completely, in every part” from 1273 (Adenet), and the sense “without any reservation, fully” from the end of the 12th century.^[7] Both senses are still current.^[5]

Timeline

• 1155 – First record, in Wace's Brut.^[3][5]
• Late 12th century – The Châtelain de Coucy uses it in the sense “without reservation”.^[7][2]
• 1273 – Adenet uses it in the sense “completely”.^[7]
• 15th century – Charles d'Orléans has à qui je suis entierement.^[2]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Entirely, completely, in every part: la maison a été entièrement refaite “the house has been completely redone”.^[8][7]
2. Without restriction, fully: je suis entièrement de votre avis “I fully agree with you”.^[7][8]

Related words

• entier
• entièreté
• intègre
• Latin integer

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
3. ^ a b c 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
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert