hydrater

Forms

hydrater^[1]

Etymology

It is from French hydrate + -er.^[2][3][1] The noun hydrate, first spelled ⟨hidrate⟩ in 1802, is a learned formation on Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr, “water”) with the suffix -ate.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found as the past participle hydraté “combined with water” in 1805, in the Encyclopédie méthodique.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The verb began as a term of chemistry: the reflexive s'hydrater “to pass into the state of a hydrate” is dated 1836 by the Grand Robert and the GLLF (Landais) and 1845–46 by the TLFi;^[3][4][2][5] Littré records only this reflexive use.^[3][4][2][5] The transitive sense “to combine with water” is dated by the TLFi from a botany manual of 1931.^[2]

In the 20th century it was extended to bringing water into living tissue, especially the skin, the sense of everyday cosmetic use.^[4][6] The adjective hydratable is recorded from 1846.^[6]

Timeline

• 1805 – The participle hydraté appears in the Encyclopédie méthodique.^[2]
• 1836 – Landais records the verb, transitive and reflexive.^[4][3]
• 1845–46 – Bescherelle's supplement records s'hydrater.^[2]
• 1846 – Hydratable is recorded.^[6]
• 1931 – Transitive hydrater “combine with water” in Plantefol's botany.^[2]
• 20th century – The sense “bring water into the tissues, the skin” appears.^[4]

Meanings

Verb

1. (chemistry) To combine with water;^[2][6][4] s'hydrater, to become a hydrate.^[2][6][4]
2. To bring or fix water in the body or its tissues, especially to moisturize the skin: cette crème hydrate les peaux sèches.^[4][6]

Word family

• hydratable

Related words

• hydrate
• déshydrater
• réhydrater
• Ancient Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr)

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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 Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert