gratuité

Forms

gratuité f (plural gratuités)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Medieval Latin grātuitās (“favour”), recorded about 1273, or a learned derivative of Latin.^[2][3][4][5] The TLFi treats it as a learned formation on Latin grātuītus (“done or given for nothing”), the source of gratuit, and notes that the Medieval Latin noun was itself formed on that adjective.^[6][7] Littré simply derives it from the French adjective.^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded about 1350 in the poems of Gilles li Muisis, in the sense “exemption from payment”.^[6][7][2]

Semantic evolution

In 1460 it meant a favour granted, as in aucun don ou gratuité “any gift or favour”.^[6][2][8] In the 16th century Calvin used it of what is given freely by God (1541), and Amyot of lending money without interest.^[7][8][2] The sense of disinterestedness is recorded before 1755 in Saint-Simon.^[6]

From the 19th century it is applied to what is obtained without paying: Littré has la gratuité de l’enseignement primaire (1866), and free schooling became a central use.^[6][2][8] In 1884 Péladan used it of what is unmotivated or unjustified.^[6][2] The GLLF dates the sense of an act with no definite aim to the 20th century.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 1350 – Gilles li Muisis uses it for an exemption from payment.^[6]
• 1460 – It means a favour granted.^[6][2]
• 1541 – Calvin uses it of God's free gifts.^[7][2]
• before 1755 – Saint-Simon uses it of disinterested conduct.^[6]
• 1866 – Littré records la gratuité de l’enseignement primaire.^[6]
• 1884 – Péladan uses it of what is unmotivated.^[6][2]

Meanings

Noun

1. The fact of being free of charge: la gratuité de l’enseignement.^[4][9][5][7]
2. The quality of being done without seeking anything in return; disinterestedness.^[4][7][6]
3. (figurative) The quality of being unjustified or unmotivated; gratuitousness.^[4][5][1]
4. The quality of having no definite or rational aim.^[5][7]
5. (theology) The quality of being a pure gift of God: la gratuité de la prédestination.^[8][6]

Related words

• gratuit
• gratuitement
• Latin grātuītus

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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
7. ^ 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
8. ^ a b c d e Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)