Etymologically
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entrée

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 18 October 2026 at 14:02. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɑ̃.tʁe/[1]

Forms

entrée f (plural entrées)[1]

Etymology

It is the feminine past participle of entrer used as a noun.[2][3][4][5] The verb is from Latin intrō (“to enter”).[1]

Compare Old Occitan intrada, Spanish entrada and Italian entrata.[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Philippe de Thaon's Comput (1119) uses it for the place through which one enters, Wace (1130–40) for the act of entering, here into paradise.[2]

Semantic evolution

Wace also used it for the edge or beginning of a place (the edge of a wood, 1160–74), and Chrétien de Troyes for the beginning of a period (l'entree d'oitovre, about 1176).[2] From 1462 it named a duty on goods brought in, and in 1679 Madame de Sévigné uses les entrées for the right of access to the king's bedchamber.[2]

At table, entrée de table is in Rabelais (1552), and, from the early 17th century the entrée was a dish served at the start of the meal.[4] The theatre has an actor's entrée on stage, and the ballet entrée (Oudin, 1660).[7][8] In dictionaries an entrée is a headword.[1]

Timeline

  • 1119 – A way in, Philippe de Thaon.[2]
  • 1130–40 – The act of entering, Wace.[2]
  • c. 1176 – A beginning, Chrétien de Troyes.[2]
  • 1462 – An import duty.[2]
  • 1552 – Entrée de table, Rabelais.[4]
  • 1660 – A ballet entry, Oudin.[8]

Meanings

Noun

  1. entry, act of entering: faire son entrée, l'entrée en guerre, entrée en vigueur.[7][1]
  2. An entrance, way in: l'entrée de l'immeuble, porte d'entrée; hall.[1][2]
  3. Admission, access; a ticket: entrée libre, examen d'entrée.[1][7]
  4. A starter, first course of a meal.[1][4]
  5. The beginning: à l'entrée de l'hiver, d'entrée de jeu, from the outset.[2][1]
  6. An entry, headword (in a dictionary).[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 4, 776a
  6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  7. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF