indifférence

Forms

indifférence f (plural indifférences)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin indifferentia (“a physical state with nothing particular about it”), which in imperial Latin had meant “synonymy”, from indifferēns (“indifferent”).^[2][3][4][5] It was borrowed in 1372 according to the TLFi; the GLLF cites Oresme in 1377, and the Petit Robert treats that record as isolated and dates the word from 1487.^[2][5][6] It is the noun of indifférent.^[7][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Denis Foulechat's translation of the Policraticus of John of Salisbury (1372) uses it for a physical state with nothing particular about it.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The concrete sense came first; the word reappears in the 17th century for the state of a person who feels no interest or concern (1606).^[2][3] About 1629 Corneille uses it for a person's detachment, and in 1636 for not responding to someone's love.^[5]

It took a religious sense with Pascal's indifférence de la religion (before 1662), and Lamennais's indifférence en matière de religion (1817) became a set phrase.^[3][5] Philosophy has the liberté d'indifférence (1738, Voltaire), and, as with the adjective used of things, science speaks of indifférence magnétique (1855).^[5][3] English took the word in the mid-15th century, from Latin.^[8]

Timeline

• 1372 – Denis Foulechat uses it for a neutral physical state.^[2]
• 1377 – Oresme uses it.^[5]
• 1606 – Crespin records it for the state of an indifferent person.^[2][3]
• 1636 – Corneille uses it of someone not moved by another's love.^[5]
• before 1662 – Pascal writes indifférence de la religion.^[5][3]
• 1738 – Voltaire uses liberté d'indifférence.^[5]
• 1817 – Lamennais publishes on l'indifférence en matière de religion.^[5][3]
• 1855 – Indifférence magnétique appears in science.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The state of a person who feels neither pain nor pleasure, fear nor desire; detachment, apathy.^[6][2]
2. Lack of interest or concern towards a thing or an event: regarder les nouvelles avec indifférence.^[6][9]
3. Lack of feeling or attention towards a person, especially not responding to someone's love.^[5][7]
4. (religion) The attitude of one who holds all religions equal, or none: indifférence religieuse.^[7][5]
5. (philosophy) Liberté d'indifférence: the freedom of a will not inclined to either side.^[7][5]
6. The state of what is neutral or inert, as matter towards rest and motion.^[5]

Related words

• indifférent
• différence
• Latin indifferentia
• English indifference

References

1. ^ a b c 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert 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. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)