exclamation

Forms

exclamation f (plural exclamations)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin exclāmātiō (“shouting, exclamation”),^[2][3][4] formed on the supine of exclāmō (“to cry out”), from ex- and clāmō (“to shout”).^[5][6][3] In Latin rhetoric it also named the figure of exclamation.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi's first record is in a Bible of the early 13th century, for a cry of joy or surprise;^[2][3] the Robert and the Grand Larousse date it to 1311.^[5][6][7]

Semantic evolution

From its etymological sense, a cry of joy or surprise, the word came to name in grammar an interjection or short sentence expressing emotion (1580, Montaigne).^[3][6] The dictionaries date point d'exclamation “exclamation mark” differently: 1716 for Rey, 1798 (the Académie) for the TLFi, 1865 (Littré) for the Grand Larousse.^[3][2][6] Littré also records the rhetorical figure of a sudden outburst of passion in a speech.^[8] The grammatical use gave the adjective exclamatif (1747).^[3]

Timeline

• early 13th century – First recorded, in a Bible, as a cry of joy or surprise.^[2]
• 1311 – The Robert's first date.^[5][7]
• 1580 – Montaigne uses it in grammar for an interjection.^[3][6]
• 1716 – Point d'exclamation according to Rey.^[3]
• 1747 – The derivative exclamatif in point exclamatif.^[3]
• 1798 – The Académie records point d'exclamation.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A sudden cry or words expressing a strong feeling: une exclamation d’étonnement.^[7][2][8]
2. (grammar) An interjection or short sentence expressing emotion.^[2][6]
3. Point d’exclamation: the exclamation mark (!).^[7][2]
4. (rhetoric) A figure in which the speaker breaks out into sudden passion.^[8]

Word family

• exclamatif

Related words

• exclamer
• clamer
• Latin exclāmātiō

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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 h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 274b
5. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ 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
7. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette