furtif

Forms

furtif (feminine furtive, masculine plural furtifs, feminine plural furtives)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin fūrtīvus (“secret, hidden”),^[2][3][4][1] which in imperial Latin also meant “stolen”,^[2][3] from fūrtum (“theft”), from fūr (“thief”).^[3][4][5] Rey connects the Latin noun with furet.^[3] The Old French examples that Tobler–Lommatzsch gives under this spelling are probably to be read fuitif, according to the TLFi.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1370 the adjective meant “of a thief, belonging to a thief”, a sense now out of use.^[3][6][5]

Semantic evolution

In 1545 Jean Bouchet used it for what is hidden or kept secret, as one would hide a theft;^[2][3] Furetière (1690) noted that in this sense it was used only in amours furtives.^[3] From 1549, when Robert Estienne records it, it took its weaker modern sense, “done stealthily, meant to pass unnoticed”;^[2][3][7] the Académie recorded œillade furtive in 1694.^[2] In literary use it describes something that passes almost unnoticed (1775, Beaumarchais),^[3][7] and a person who tries to escape notice (1853, Hugo).^[7] The adverb furtivement (about 1350, in the old sense) developed in the same way.^[3] In modern technology the adjective means “undetectable by radar”.^[5][1]

Timeline

• c. 1350 – The adverb furtivement is recorded.^[3]
• 1370 – First record of the adjective, meaning “of a thief”.^[3][4][6]
• 1545 – Jean Bouchet uses it for something kept secret.^[2]
• 1549 – Robert Estienne records the sense “done stealthily”.^[2][7]
• 1690 – Furetière notes amours furtives.^[3]
• 1694 – The Académie records œillade furtive.^[2]
• 1775 – Beaumarchais uses it of a thing that passes almost unnoticed.^[3][7]
• 1853 – Victor Hugo applies it to a person.^[7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Clandestine, secret.^[5]
2. Done stealthily, meant to pass unnoticed, or so quick that it is hardly noticed: un geste furtif vers la porte.^[5][8][9]
3. (literary) Of a person: trying to escape notice by moving quickly.^[2][7]
4. (military) Stealthy, undetectable by radar: avion furtif.^[5][1]

Word family

• furtivement
• furtivité
• furtiviser

Related words

• furet
• Latin fūrtīvus

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
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 Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
9. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette