incursion

Forms

incursion f (plural incursions)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin incursiō (“attack, invasion”), formed on incursum, the supine of incurrō (“to rush against, to invade”).^[2][3][4] The Latin verb is formed from in- and currō (“to run”).^[3][5] The same verb gave French encourir by inheritance.^[3][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Pierre Bersuire uses it in his translation of Livy, about 1355, of the raids of enemies.^[2][3][6] The Grand Robert and the GLLF date this text to 1352.^[7][5]

Semantic evolution

The word first named a short stay of invaders in enemy country.^[3] In the burlesque style of the classical period it could mean a love affair (1680).^[3] From 1765 it was used figuratively for a brief venture into a field that is not one's own, then (1835, Stendhal) for a sudden entry into a place.^[3][5] Littré also records the sense “journey of exploration or curiosity”, which the TLFi labels dated.^[6][2] Bloch and Wartburg note that the sense grew wider in the 19th century.^[8] In all its uses it belongs to an elevated style.^[3]

Jaurès used a verb incursionner in 1914, but it did not last.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1355 – First record, in Bersuire's translation of Livy.^[2][3]
• 1680 – Burlesque use for a love affair.^[3]
• 1765 – The Encyclopédie uses it figuratively.^[5][3]
• 1835 – Stendhal uses it for a sudden entry.^[5][3]
• 1914 – Jaurès coins incursionner.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A raid or short invasion by armed men into foreign territory.^[9][2]
2. A sudden entry into a place: faire une incursion dans un lieu.^[9][5]
3. (figurative) A brief venture into a field that is not one's usual one.^[9][3]
4. (dated) A journey made out of curiosity, an excursion.^[2][6]

Related words

• encourir
• courir
• excursion
• Latin incursiō

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 f g h i j k l m n o Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 4, 634b
5. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
9. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert