Etymologically
Log in

exactement

Etymology and origin of the French word exactement

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1539, Canappe
Ultimate origins
Latin (exactus)French (-ment)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
French exact
French exactement

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɛɡ.zak.tə.mɑ̃/[1]

Forms

exactement[1]

Etymology

It is from French exact + -ment.[2][3][4][1] exact is borrowed from Latin exāctus (“precise, accurate”), the past participle of exigō (“to drive out; to weigh, measure”).[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first record is in Jean Canappe's translation of the third book of the Méthode thérapeutique (1539).[2][6] The GLLF dates it to 1541 and gives the first sense as “with great care”, as in classical French.[7]

Semantic evolution

In classical French it meant “carefully, punctiliously”, in keeping with rules: Corneille writes observe exactement la loi que je t'impose; this sense is now literary.[7][4] The sense “precisely, with accuracy” is recorded in 1870, and “quite, altogether” in Rousseau (before 1778).[7] Used alone in a reply, exactement! expresses full agreement.[8]

Timeline

  • 1539 – First record, Canappe.[2]
  • Before 1778 – “Quite, altogether”, Rousseau.[7]
  • 1870 – “Precisely”.[7]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. exactly, precisely: il est exactement trois heures, que vous a-t-il dit exactement?[4][1]
  2. Quite, altogether: ce n'est pas exactement la même chose.[4][7]
  3. Faithfully, accurately: reproduire exactement un texte.[9][4]
  4. (literary) Scrupulously, punctually: payer exactement.[4][7]
  5. (in a reply) Exactly! Quite so![8][9]

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 Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  6. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  9. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Exactement.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/exactement. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·