Etymology and origin of the French word exemplaire
exemplaire1 exemplary
- Confidence
- Established
- Formation
- Borrowing
- First attested
- 1240–1280 Baudouin de Condé, Dits et contes
- Borrowed from
- Latin exemplaris
- Ultimate origin
- Latin exemplum
Etymology tree of exemplaire1
From the same root · exemplaire1
Pronunciation
- /ɛɡ.zɑ̃.plɛʁ/[1]
Forms
exemplaire (plural exemplaires)[1]
Etymology
The word meaning “exemplary” is borrowed from Latin exemplāris (“serving as a model”), from exemplum (“example, model”).[2][3][4][5] Its philosophical sense follows the phrase Medieval Latin forma exemplaris, recorded about 1200.[2][6] The TLFi dates the French adjective to 1240–1280, while the Grand Robert and the GLLF date it to 1150.[2][3][7] It has a separate source from the noun exemplaire2 “copy”, which comes from Late Latin exemplārium.[3][6]
Earliest recorded meaning
In the Dits et contes of Baudouin de Condé (1240–1280) it describes what can serve as an example or model.[2][6]
Semantic evolution
In medieval philosophy the adjective named the perfect model after which a thing is made: Oresme, in the 14th century, speaks of une forme exemplaire qui est en la pensée divine “an exemplary form that is in the divine mind”.[4][6] About 1570 Carloix used it of punishment meant as a warning to others (ces exemplaires et terribles chastiments).[2][6][7] Later it came to mean “worthy of being imitated” and so “remarkable of its kind”.[6]
Timeline
- 1240–1280 – Baudouin de Condé uses it for what can serve as an example.[2]
- 14th century – Oresme speaks of an exemplary form in the divine mind.[4]
- Late 15th century – The adverb exemplairement is first recorded.[2][6]
- About 1570 – Carloix applies it to a punishment meant as a lesson.[2][7]
Meanings
Adjective
- Worthy of being taken as an example or model, exemplary: Sa conduite au travail est exemplaire.[8][9]
- Meant to serve as a warning or lesson to others: une punition exemplaire.[8][9][4]
- (philosophy) Cause exemplaire: the model after which an intelligent cause produces its effect.[2]
Word family
- exemplairement
- exemplarité
exemplaire2 copy
- Confidence
- Established
- Formation
- Borrowing
- First attested
- 1119 Philippe de Thaon
- Borrowed from
- Latin exemplarium via Old French
- Ultimate origin
- Latin exemplum
Etymology tree of exemplaire2
From the same root · exemplaire2
Pronunciation
- /ɛɡ.zɑ̃.plɛʁ/[1]
Forms
exemplaire m (plural exemplaires)[1]
Etymology
The word meaning “copy” is inherited from Old French essemplaire, borrowed from Late Latin exemplārium (“copy, original, model”), from Latin exemplar (“copy, model”), from exemplum (“example”).[3][7][6][5] Old French also wrote essemplarie; the modern spelling with ⟨x⟩ appears in the 13th century.[3][7]
Cognate with Old Occitan exemplar and Italian esemplare.[4]
Earliest recorded meaning
It is first recorded in 1119, as essemplaire, in Philippe de Thaon, in the sense “account, narrative”, which did not survive.[6][7]
Semantic evolution
From 1170 the noun meant a model to be followed; this was old-fashioned by the middle of the 18th century, and exemple took its place.[6][8] It named a piece of writing or a book from 1216.[6] In 1580 Montaigne used it for each of the objects reproducing a common type, first books, then medals, engravings and photographs.[6][8][7] Cabanis applied it in 1808 to each individual of a species, and since 1870 it has been used of similar things or beings in general.[6]
Timeline
- 1119 – Philippe de Thaon writes essemplarie, essemplaire “narrative”.[7][6]
- 1170 – It means a model to be followed.[6]
- 1216 – It names a piece of writing, a book.[6]
- 1580 – Montaigne uses it for a copy of a printed book.[6][8][7]
- 1808 – Cabanis applies it to an individual of a species.[6]
- 1870 – It is used of similar things or beings in general.[6][7]
Meanings
Noun
Related words
References
- ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e f g h i 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
- ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
- ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
- ^ a b Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 291a
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
- ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
- ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
Related etymologies
Cite this entry
“Exemplaire.” Etymologically, 14 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/exemplaire. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.
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