Etymologically
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entourer

Etymology and origin of the French word entourer

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1538, Robert Estienne
Ultimate origin
Latin (tornus)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
French entourer
French entourage
English entourage

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɑ̃.tu.ʁe/[1]

Forms

entourer[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French entour + -er, itself formed from en and tour.[2][3][4][1] Littré notes that it is a recent formation on that word, in which the ⟨n⟩ of tourner has disappeared; the regular older verb was entourner, which lasted into the 16th century (Montaigne: “de quoy nous entournons la mort”).[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Robert Estienne's Latin–French dictionary (1538) gives environner, entourer for Latin ambire “to go round, encircle”.[2]

Semantic evolution

Estienne's sense, to put something all round, and that of standing around someone are the earliest.[4] Furetière (1690) uses it for forming someone's usual company, and Hugo (1862) for being the usual setting of something.[4] From the early 19th century it means figuratively to lavish care or attention on someone: entourer quelqu'un de prévenances.[4]

Timeline

  • 1538 – Robert Estienne.[2]
  • 1690 – Of a person's circle, Furetière.[4]
  • Early 19th century – “To surround with (care, respect)”.[4]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To surround, encircle: entourer un jardin d'une haie, entourer une faute en rouge.[6][1]
  2. To stand or be around: la foule qui l'entourait, les montagnes qui entourent la ville.[4][6]
  3. To form the usual company of (someone); to be the usual setting of: les objets qui nous entourent.[4]
  4. To surround with: entourer quelqu'un de soins, d'affection.[4][6]
  5. S'entourer de: to surround oneself with.[6]

Word family

References

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

Derived terms

Cite this entry

“Entourer.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/entourer. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·