inepte

Forms

inepte (plural ineptes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin ineptus (“unsuitable, out of place, clumsy, foolish”), from in- (“not”) and aptus (“fitted, suitable”).^{[2][3][4][1][5]} The GLLF gives the adjective as the past participle of an old verb apere (“to tie, attach”).^[4] The word is probably older than its first record, since the adverb ineptement is found in 1380.^[2][3][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in the 15th century, in the sense “unfit, inapt”, in a speech by the ambassadors of Edward IV to the Duke of Burgundy preserved in Chastellain's chronicles.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

The sense “incapable, unfit” was still alive in the 19th century: the Académie recorded inepte à from 1798 to 1878.^[3][2] It was ousted by the second sense, and is now expressed by inapte.^[7] From 1505 (Gringoire) the word described a person showing complete incompetence or stupidity, and it was applied to foolish words or conduct from 1531: Jean de Vignay's Miroir historial has parolle inepte et incongrue.^[2][3] Like the Latin word, it also meant “importunate” (1611).^[3]

The noun ineptie (1546) is borrowed from Latin ineptia.^[3][7] The English word inept (about 1600) comes from the French word or directly from Latin.^[8]

Timeline

• 1380 – The adverb ineptement “clumsily” is found.^[2][3]
• 15th century – Inepte “unfit” appears in Chastellain's chronicles.^[2][4]
• 1505 – Gringoire uses it of a stupid person.^[2][3]
• 1531 – It is used of foolish words.^[2][3]
• 1546 – Ineptie is borrowed.^[3][7]
• 1798 – The Académie records inepte à “unfit for”.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Showing absurdity or foolishness, inane: un film inepte.^[9][2]
2. Of a person: incompetent, stupid, lacking judgement.^[2][9][1]
3. (obsolete) Inepte à: unfit for, inapte to.^[2][9][10]

Word family

• ineptement

Related words

• ineptie
• apte
• inapte
• Latin ineptus
• English inept

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 4, 656a
6. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
10. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette