exprès

Forms

exprès (feminine expresse, masculine plural exprès, feminine plural expresses)^[1] The adverb is invariable, and the noun un exprès is masculine and invariable.^[1][2] The adverb was first par expres (1333).^[3][4]

Etymology

It is a learned borrowing, borrowed from Latin expressus (“pressed out, clearly expressed”), the past participle of exprimō (“to press out”).^[3][5][4] The Latin verb is formed from ex- (“out”) and premō (“to press”).^[6][2] The adverb is the same word used adverbially, first in a phrase meaning “deliberately” (1333).^[7][8][4]

Cognate with Occitan expres, Spanish expreso and Italian espresso.^[6] French exprimer comes from the same Latin verb.^[5][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found about 1275 in Jean de Meun's part of the Roman de la Rose, meaning “clear, precise”: par letre expresse “by an explicit letter”.^[3][6][5]

Semantic evolution

The first sense, “clear, explicit”, has dropped out of common use but survives in law, of an order or a law, and in condition expresse, demande expresse.^[5][2] The adjective also meant “specially charged with conveying someone's will” (Mme de Sévigné, 1664), and un exprès was a messenger sent on purpose (before 1630); from this come the modern invariable lettre exprès, colis exprès, delivered at once, and the noun un exprès for such a letter.^[5][3][2]

The adverb went from par expres “deliberately” (1333) and tout expres pour “with the aim of” (1468) to the simple exprès about 1560, in Amyot.^[3][5] Faire exprès “to do on purpose” (16th century) gave fait exprès “perfectly suited” and the noun un fait exprès (1814), a coincidence that seems intended.^[5][2] Quebec French says faire par exprès.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1275 – Jean de Meun uses expresse “explicit” in the Roman de la Rose.^[3][6]
• 1333 – Par expres “deliberately” appears in an ordinance.^[3][5]
• 1468 – Tout expres pour “with the aim of” in letters of Louis XI.^[3]
• c. 1560 – Amyot uses the simple adverb exprès.^[3][5]
• before 1630 – D'Aubigné uses un exprès for a messenger.^[3][5]
• 1664 – Mme de Sévigné uses the adjective of a person specially charged with a message.^[5]
• 1814 – Un fait exprès is recorded.^[5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (law or dated) Explicit, formally stated: une interdiction expresse, condition expresse.^[2][3]
2. (invariable) Of mail: express, delivered as soon as it arrives: une lettre exprès.^[2][1]

Adverb

1. On purpose, deliberately: faire exprès, il ne l'a pas fait exprès.^[2][3]
2. Tout exprès: specially, for that very purpose.^[2][8]
3. Fait exprès: perfectly suited, as if made for it.^[2][8]

Noun

1. (dated) A messenger sent specially.^[2][1]
2. An express letter or parcel.^[2][1]

Word family

• expressément

Related words

• exprimer
• expression
• Latin exprimō

Usage notes

Un fait exprès or comme par un fait exprès is said of an awkward coincidence that looks deliberate.^[2][8] Tu le fais exprès ? is a reproach for a foolish act.^[5]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ 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
3. ^ 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
4. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse