illicite

Forms

illicite (plural illicites)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin illicitus (“forbidden, unlawful”),^[2][3][1] formed from in-, a negative prefix, and licitus (“permitted, lawful”), from the impersonal verb licet (“it is allowed”).^[4][5] The Anglo-Norman illicite (“illegal”) is recorded in 1363–1364.^[6] Rey notes that it is more common than licite itself because of its use in law.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1364 in a royal ordinance.^[2][8] Littré quotes Jouer à jeux illicites “to play unlawful games” from the 14th-century Ménagier.^[5]

Semantic evolution

The sense, forbidden by law or by morality, has stayed the same since the 14th century.^[2][9] Calvin uses it in the 16th century of dishonest gains.^[5] In law it describes what the law prohibits; in morals it is said of what is forbidden, as of an illicit love affair.^[2]

Timeline

• 1364 – First recorded in a royal ordinance.^[2]
• 1491 – The adverb illicitement is recorded.^[2][7]
• 1694 – The Académie records illicitement.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Forbidden by law or by morality, illicit, unlawful: un marché illicite.^[9][2]

Word family

• illicitement

Related words

• licite
• illégal
• Latin licet

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ Anglo-Norman Dictionary (AND2), Aberystwyth University, anglo-norman.net (2nd ed., 2005–)
7. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert