indispensable

Forms

indispensable (plural indispensables)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French in- + dispenser + -able.^[2][3][4][5] The verb is from Latin dispensō (“to distribute, to dispense”), whose sense “to grant a dispensation” comes from the Church Latin of the Middle Ages.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1585 in Noël du Fail's Contes d'Eutrapel, in peché indispensable, meaning “for which there is no dispensation”: one that the Church could not excuse.^[2][7]

Semantic evolution

Its first sense was the strict one of something from which the Church gave no dispensation, still found in the 18th century.^[7][6] The literal sense “that one cannot be excused from, compulsory” is recorded in 1654.^[2][7] In the 18th century it passed into everyday use as “very necessary, that one cannot do without” (Voltaire, 1754), and it is sometimes used as a noun, l'indispensable, for what is strictly necessary.^[2][7][8]

In the 19th century un indispensable was also a small bag in which women carried their purse and handkerchief.^[8][9] English indispensable (1530s) first meant “not subject to dispensation” as well.^[10]

Timeline

• 1585 – Noël du Fail writes peché indispensable, a sin without dispensation.^[2][7]
• 1641 – The derivative indispensabilité is recorded.^[2][7]
• 1654 – Sorel uses nécessité indispensable, an obligation one cannot escape.^[2][6]
• 1754 – Voltaire uses it for something one cannot do without.^[2][11]
• 1858 – Bescherelle records un indispensable, a lady's small bag.^[9]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That one cannot do without, very necessary, essential: un outil indispensable, il est indispensable de partir tôt.^[4][2]
2. (dated) That one cannot be excused from, compulsory.^[4][11]

Noun

1. L'indispensable: what is strictly necessary.^[8][7]

Word family

• indispensabilité
• indispensablement

Related words

• dispenser
• dispense
• dispensable
• Latin dispensō
• English indispensable

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ 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
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 3, 98a
6. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF, p. vol. 42
10. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
11. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse