impressionnable

Forms

impressionnable (plural impressionnables)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French impressionner + -able.^[2][1][3][4] The verb impressionner (1762) is formed on impression,^[2] which is from Latin impressiō (“impression on the senses”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first record is in Thouvenel's Mémoire chimique et médicinal sur les effets de l'air (1780), meaning “capable of receiving vivid impressions”.^[2][5][6]

Semantic evolution

Besides being open to vivid impressions, it came to mean, as it mostly does today, easily impressed or excessively sensitive;^[6][5][7] Littré still labelled it a neologism.^[6][5][7] The TLFi records the now dated use for one who feels physical sensations deeply.^[2] Littré also notes a figurative use of government stock and commercial securities.^[7]

In photography it was used of a surface sensitive to light (1857 according to Rey and the Petit Robert, 1874 in the TLFi); this use is dated, sensible being the usual word.^[6][8][2] The noun impressionnabilité (1809) is derived from it.^[6] English impressionable (1827) is from the French word.^[9]

Timeline

• 1762 – The verb impressionner is first recorded.^[2]
• 1780 – Thouvenel uses impressionnable.^[2][4]
• 1809 – Impressionnabilité is recorded.^[6]
• 1857 – First use in photography.^[6][8]
• 1867 – Littré records it as a neologism.^[5][7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Quick to be impressed or moved, quick to feel strong emotions; impressionable, sensitive.^[8][2][5]
2. (dated) Deeply responsive to physical sensations.^[2]
3. (photography, dated) Sensitive to light.^[8][2][1]

Word family

• impressionnabilité

Related words

• impression
• impressionner
• impressionnant
• English impressionable

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique 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 Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com