gratification

Forms

gratification f (plural gratifications)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin grātificātiō (“kindness, favour”),^{[2][3][4][5][6]} formed on the supine of grātificor (“to do a favour, oblige”).^[3][4][5][7] It belongs with the verb gratifier.^[3][5]

The psychological sense was taken in the 20th century from English gratification.^[5][8]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record, from 1362, is a payment made as a reward: a gratification given to companions who had helped a craftsman.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

From the start the word named a gift or liberality, especially one given in return for a service (1362).^[2][5] In the 15th century (1475) it also took the sense “favour, gratitude”, still used in the classical period, as by Montaigne and Malherbe.^[2][5][4][7] From 1679 it was said especially of a sum of money,^[5][4] and by 1846 of a bonus paid by an employer on top of wages, an administrative sense Littré describes as money given to employees at the end of the year.^[4][7]

In psychology, gratification “satisfaction that restores someone's self-esteem” was taken from English before 1951 and is the opposite of frustration.^[5][6][8]

Timeline

• 1362 – First record, for a gift given as a reward.^[2][3]
• 1475 – A royal ordinance uses it for “favour, grant”.^[2][3]
• 16th century – Montaigne uses it for a kindness that earns gratitude.^[7]
• 1679 – It is used of a sum of money given as a reward.^[4][5]
• 1846 – Balzac uses it for an extra payment on top of wages.^[4]
• Before 1951 – The psychological sense is taken from English.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. A sum of money given to someone beyond what is owed, a bonus or tip: une gratification de fin d'année.^[6][8]
2. An extra payment made by an employer on top of the salary, by custom or by agreement.^[6][8]
3. (psychology) A feeling of satisfaction that improves one's image of oneself.^[6][8]
4. (classical) A favour or liberality; gratitude.^[4]

Related words

• gratifier
• gratifiant
• Latin grātificātiō
• English gratification

References

1. ^ a b 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 d e Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c d e Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)