félicitation

Forms

félicitation f (plural félicitations)^[1] First spelled fœlicitation (1623).^[2][3]

Etymology

It is formed from French féliciter + -ation.^[2][4][5] The verb is from Late Latin fēlīcitō (“to make happy”).^[2] The word is probably from Geneva: Agrippa d'Aubigné, who first used it, gave it as a Genevan word.^[2][6][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1623 Agrippa d'Aubigné used fœlicitation for the act of congratulating someone.^[2][7]

Semantic evolution

For a long time the word meant only the act of congratulating, as in compliment de félicitation (1687).^[7][2] Even in 1690 Thomas Corneille hesitated to write je lui ay écrit un compliment de félicitation, “if one may say so”.^[6] The plural later took the modern sense of compliments, often in a set form, spoken or written to someone on a happy event;^[7][8] in school and army language at the start of the 20th century it also meant praise received from a superior.^[8]

Timeline

• 1623 – Agrippa d'Aubigné writes fœlicitation, calling it a Genevan word.^[2][6]
• 1687 – Compliment de félicitation appears in Thomas Corneille.^[2][8]
• 1690 – Thomas Corneille still treats the word as doubtful.^[6]
• early 20th century – The plural is used in school and army language for praise from a superior.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. (dated) The act of congratulating: un compliment de félicitation.^[9][10]
2. (in the plural) Congratulations, compliments on a happy event: Félicitations !, toutes mes félicitations.^[9][10]
3. (in the plural) Warm praise or approval, as from a superior or an examining board: les félicitations du jury.^[9][5]

Related words

• féliciter
• félicité

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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org
5. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
6. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, 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
9. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)