glaucome

Forms

glaucome m (plural glaucomes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin glaucōma, a term of the Latin physicians,^[2][3][4][5] which is from Ancient Greek γλαύκωμα (glaúkōma).^[1][3] The Greek noun is derived from γλαυκόω (glaukóō, “to have the eye turn glaucous”),^[6][7] from γλαυκός (glaukós, “pale green, bluish grey”), said especially of eyes.^[2][8] Littré explains the name by the colour that the back of the eye takes on.^[9] It belongs to the same family as glauque.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1649, in the phrase taye et glaucome d'aveuglement, a text cited by Brunot.^[2][8]

Semantic evolution

The Greek word named an affection that made the lens of the eye a dull blue.^[6][7] In English, glaucoma and cataract were not told apart until about 1705.^[10] Littré still defines glaucome as a disease in which the vitreous humour becomes opaque, with a deformed pupil and weakened sight,^[9] while modern dictionaries define it by the raised pressure inside the eye, which hardens the eyeball, compresses the optic nerve and can lead to blindness.^[4][2] Mérimée still names it beside glaucose.^[6] The adjective glaucomateux is recorded from 1866.^[4]

Timeline

• 1649 – Glaucome is first recorded.^[2][3]
• 1866 – The adjective glaucomateux appears.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (medicine) glaucoma, a serious eye disease in which raised pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve and reduces sight, and can lead to blindness.^[4][2]

Word family

• glaucomateux

Related words

• glauque
• Latin glaucōma
• English glaucoma

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 4, 150b
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
8. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com