franciscain

Forms

franciscain (feminine franciscaine, masculine plural franciscains, feminine plural franciscaines)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Medieval Latin Franciscus (“Francis, of Assisi”) with the suffix -ain,^[2][3] after Ecclesiastical Latin Franciscanus, recorded in 1537.^[2][3][4] It first appears as the adjective francisquin (before 1544), and the present form is recorded from 1757.^[2][3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Bonaventure des Périers used the adjective francisquin in his Nouvelles récréations (before 1544).^[2][6] The noun franciscain for a friar of the order is recorded in the Encyclopédie in 1757.^[7]

Semantic evolution

The masculine noun names a member of the mendicant order founded by Francis of Assisi early in the 13th century, which now comprises the Conventuals, the Capuchins and the Friars Minor.^[3][5] The feminine franciscaine (late 19th century) names a nun of the regular Third Order of Saint Francis, and is also used loosely for a clarisse.^[3][2] As an adjective it describes what belongs to these orders, and then what is typical of Francis himself;^[3] the GLLF dates the adjective from Larousse in 1872.^[7] The derivative franciscanisme, the Franciscan spirit, is recorded in 1938.^[3]

Timeline

• 1537 – Ecclesiastical Latin Franciscanus is recorded.^[2][3]
• before 1544 – Des Périers uses the adjective francisquin.^[2]
• 1757 – The noun franciscain appears in the Encyclopédie.^[7][3]
• 1872 – Larousse records the adjective “of the Franciscans”.^[7]
• late 19th century – The feminine franciscaine names a nun.^[3]
• 1938 – The derivative franciscanisme is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A friar of the order founded by Francis of Assisi, a Franciscan, especially one of the Friars Minor.^[5][2][8]
2. (feminine) A nun of the regular Third Order of Saint Francis, also loosely a clarisse.^[5][2]

Adjective

1. Of or relating to the Franciscans or to Francis of Assisi: un couvent franciscain, la pauvreté franciscaine.^[5][8][1]

Word family

• franciscanisme

Related words

• cordelier
• capucin
• Medieval Latin Franciscus

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ 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
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
7. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale