hypothétique

Forms

hypothétique (plural hypothétiques)^[1] First written ⟨ypotetique⟩; the spelling ⟨hypothétique⟩ is found in Monet, 1636.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin hypotheticus (“conditional”),^[4][5][2][3] from Ancient Greek ὑποθετικός (hupothetikós, “making or concerning a supposition”),^[4][2] from ὑπόθεσις (hupóthesis) (→ hypothèse),^[6][3] itself from ὑποτίθημι (hupotíthēmi) (→ hypothèque).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1290, in Drouart la Vache's Li livres d'amours, as a feminine noun, ceste ypotetique, meaning “hypothesis”.^[4][5][2]

Semantic evolution

The adjective appears at the end of the 14th century, with a learned value.^[4][5] In logic it was said of a proposition laid down under a condition, as opposed to a categorical one;^[2][7] Furetière records this use in 1690.^[2][7] The everyday sense “uncertain, doubtful” spread in the 19th century; the GLLF dates it to 1873, in Larousse.^[5][2] The grammatical sense, “expressing a supposition”, is from 1922 (Brunot).^[2][7]

The adverb hypothétiquement is found from 1617, and the compound hypothético-déductif from the middle of the 20th century.^[5][4]

Timeline

• 1290 – Ypotetique “hypothesis”, a noun, in Drouart la Vache.^[4][5]
• Late 14th century – First used as an adjective.^[4][5]
• 1617 – The adverb hypothétiquement is first recorded.^[4][5]
• 1636 – Monet spells it hypothétique.^[2]
• 1690 – Furetière records its use in logic.^[2]
• 1873 – The sense “uncertain” is in Larousse.^[2]
• 1922 – Brunot uses it in grammar.^[2][7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (science, philosophy) Based on a hypothesis, existing only as a hypothesis, conjectural.^[7][4][2]
2. (logic) Of a proposition or judgement: asserted under a condition, opposed to catégorique: proposition hypothétique.^[7][2][6]
3. Not certain, doubtful: Il attend un héritage hypothétique de son oncle.^[7][2]
4. (grammar) Expressing a supposition.^[7][2]

Word family

• hypothétiquement

Related words

• hypothèse
• hypothèque

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
3. ^ a b c 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 i 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
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert