envoler

Forms

envoler^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French en² (“from there”) + voler (“to fly”), the first part being the adverbial pronoun of place.^[2][3][1] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert describe the first part as the prefix en- instead.^[4][5] Wiktionary notes that it is unrelated to Latin involō.^[1] The FEW places it under Latin volō (“to fly”).^[6]

Littré points out that the verb was sometimes used transitively, “to carry off by flying”, and sees in this the way voler came to mean “to steal”.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record, in the Roman d'Eneas (about 1160), uses it intransitively of sparks flying off.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The reflexive s'envoler “to take flight”, of a bird, is found about 1260 in the Ménestrel de Reims: A tant bati ses eles, et s'envola (“then it beat its wings and flew away”).^[2][7] A figurative use appears about 1350 in Gilles le Muisit.^[2][8] In the 16th century Ronsard used it of beauty that vanishes and, transitively, of a god carrying someone off to heaven.^[7] The Bible printed by Gérard in 1553 uses it of clouds carried by the wind.^[2][3]

Later senses include a person who has suddenly disappeared,^[5][2] time passing quickly,^[5][3] an aircraft taking off or a traveller leaving by plane,^[5] and, in familiar speech, prices rising sharply.^[5] The proverb les paroles s'envolent, les écrits restent belongs here.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1160 – First record, of sparks flying off, in the Roman d'Eneas.^[2][3]
• c. 1260 – S'envoler “to take flight” in the Ménestrel de Reims.^[2]
• c. 1350 – First figurative use, in Gilles le Muisit.^[2][8]
• 1553 – Used of clouds carried by the wind.^[2][3]
• 20th century – Used of an aircraft taking off.^[3][5]

Meanings

Verb

1. (reflexive) Of a bird or insect: to take flight, fly away.^[5][2]
2. (reflexive) Of an aircraft: to take off, and by extension of a person, to leave by plane.^[5]
3. (reflexive, figurative, familiar) To vanish, disappear suddenly: Mes clés ne se sont pas envolées toutes seules.^[5][2]
4. (reflexive) To be blown away by the wind or a breath.^[5][1]
5. (reflexive) Of time or hopes: to pass quickly, slip away.^[5][1]
6. (reflexive, familiar) Of prices or rates: to soar.^[5]

Related words

• voler

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 14, 604a
7. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b Tobler, Adolf; Lommatzsch, Erhard (1925–2002), Altfranzösisches Wörterbuch, 11 vols., Berlin / Wiesbaden / Stuttgart: Weidmann / Steiner