formule

Forms

formule f (plural formules)^[1] Middle French fourmulle (1372) and formulle.^[2][3][4]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin fōrmula (“frame, rule, formula”),^[2][3][5] a diminutive of fōrma (“form”) (see forme).^[3][6] Bloch and Wartburg note that the Latin word was chiefly a legal term.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1372, as fourmulles, for the set form in which something is expressed.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The word stayed rare until the 17th century;^[8] Littré thought it became French only then.^[9] The idea of a rule governs its senses: in law a model wording for an act (1690, formule de contrat), in religion ritual words (18th century), and in social life a set phrase that custom prescribes, as in formule de politesse (late 17th century).^[3][8] In the 20th century it also named a printed administrative form.^[3]

From 1752 (Voltaire's formule d'algèbre) it was a term of mathematics, and later of chemistry and biology (formule dentaire, 1844).^[3][2] At the same date it took the sense of a concise, striking expression, which by 1848 could be a mere cliché.^[3] It came to mean a standard solution to a difficulty (1838) and a way of devising an entertainment or service (1952); in motor racing it names a class of cars, as in formule 1, and in restaurants a cheap set menu.^[3][10]

Timeline

• 1372 – First record, as fourmulles.^[2]
• 1495 – Found in Jean de Vignay's Miroir historial.^[8][4]
• 1690 – Furetière records formule de contrat.^[3][8]
• 1752 – Voltaire writes formule d'algèbre.^[2][3]
• 1838 – Balzac uses it for a standard solution.^[3][8]
• 1844 – Formule dentaire in biology.^[3]
• 1848 – Used for a hollow cliché.^[3]
• 1952 – “A way of devising an entertainment”.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (law) The model wording in which a deed must be drawn up: formule exécutoire.^[10][2]
2. Ritual words to be said to obtain a result, in religion or magic: formule magique.^[10][1]
3. A set phrase prescribed by custom: formule de politesse.^[10][3]
4. A printed form to fill in for an administrative step.^[3]
5. A formula in mathematics, chemistry or biology: formule chimique.^[10][2]
6. A standard solution, a way of proceeding or of presenting a service.^[10][3]
7. In some restaurants, a fixed-price set menu.^[10][1]
8. (motor racing) A class of racing cars: formule 1.^[10][3]
9. A concise, striking expression of an idea, a maxim.^[10][3]

Word family

• formuler
• formulaire

Related words

• forme
• Latin fōrmula

References

1. ^ a b c d 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 j k l m n o p q r s t Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 724b
6. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert