initiation

Forms

initiation f (plural initiations)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin initiātiō (“initiation”), formed on initiātum, the supine of initiō (“to initiate”).^[2][3][4] Wiktionary takes it through Middle French and notes that it can be analysed in French as initier with the suffix -ation.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found, as iniciacion, in a 15th-century manuscript chronicle, meaning admission to the mysteries of ancient religion; the record is isolated.^[2][5][3] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert date it 1488 and call it rare before the 18th century.^[6][7]

Semantic evolution

In Middle French it also meant “beginning”.^[5] The word was taken up again in the 18th century: Terrasson uses it in 1731,^[2] it is said of the Christian religion in 1732 and of the ancient religions in 1762, when the Académie records it.^[5][3] From 1755 (Mirabeau) it also meant giving or receiving the first elements of an art, a science or a practice, now the usual sense.^[2][5] Rousseau used it in 1761 for an introduction to secret or difficult things.^[3]

It later named admission to a religion, a secret society or a social state, and in ethnology the rites that bring a child into adult society.^[7][5][2]

Timeline

• 15th century – Iniciacion appears in a manuscript chronicle.^[2][5]
• 1488 – Date of first record in the Robert dictionaries.^[6][7]
• 1731 – Terrasson uses initiation.^[2]
• 1732 – It is said of the Christian religion.^[5]
• 1755 – Mirabeau uses it for learning the first elements of a subject.^[2][5]
• 1761 – Rousseau uses it for an introduction to hidden knowledge.^[3]
• 1762 – The Académie records it.^[3][5]

Meanings

Noun

1. In antiquity, admission to the mysteries of a cult, and the ceremony that went with it: l'initiation aux mystères d'Isis.^[7][2][3]
2. Admission to a religion, a secret society or a social state: rites d'initiation.^[7][2]
3. Introduction to the knowledge of secret or difficult things.^[7][4]
4. Giving or receiving the rudiments of a science, an art or a practice: un stage d'initiation à la voile.^[7][2]

Related words

• initier
• initiatique
• initiateur
• Latin initio

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e f g Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert