formuler

Forms

formuler^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French formule + -er.^[2][1][3] Bloch and Wartburg note that it was first created in the 14th century and coined again in the 18th as a pharmacy term.^[4] The noun formule (1496) was taken from Latin formula, a diminutive of forma (“form, shape”), used above all as a legal term.^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first record is in Jean Bouteiller's 14th-century Somme rural, where formuler une complainte means to set out a complaint in precise terms.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

The word was rare before the 18th century.^[3][7] In 1740 it is used in medicine for drawing up remedies and prescriptions according to a formula;^[2][7] the Trévoux dictionary has it as a pharmacy term in 1752.^[8][4]

In the 19th century Littré listed it as a legal term (to draw up an act according to the set forms), an algebra term and a medical term, and called the general sense “to state with the precision of a formula” a neologism.^[6] That sense became common from 1845, and with it the looser sense “to express, to put into words”.^[7][9][10] Formulation was derived from the verb about 1840, and reformuler is recorded in 1954.^[7]

Timeline

• 14th century – Bouteiller writes formulé une complainte in the Somme rural.^[2][6]
• 1740 – Used in medicine for drawing up remedies according to a formula.^[2][7]
• 1752 – The Trévoux dictionary records it as a pharmacy term.^[8][4]
• c. 1840 – The derivative formulation appears.^[7]
• 1845 – The sense “to state precisely” becomes current.^[7][9]
• 1954 – Reformuler is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Verb

1. (technical) To put into a formula, or draw up according to a formula: formuler une ordonnance (a prescription), formuler une équation.^[9][11][12]
2. To state with precision, as a formula would: formuler une plainte, formuler une objection.^[9][11]
3. To express, put into words: formuler un vœu, formuler son avis.^[11][10]

Word family

• formulation
• reformuler
• formulable
• informulé

Related words

• formule
• forme
• formulaire
• Latin formula

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 724b
6. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
9. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
11. ^ a b c Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
12. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)