initiative

Forms

initiative f (plural initiatives)^[1]

Etymology

It is from French initier, a learned formation made on the model of défensive and expectative.^[2][3][4] The Grand Robert and the DHLF describe it as a learned derivative of Latin initiō (“to initiate; in Late Latin, to begin”) itself, and the Grand Robert adds offensive to the models.^[5][6] The Latin verb is from initium (“beginning”), from ineō (“to enter, begin”).^[1] Bloch and Wartburg note that Rousseau used an adjective initiatif meaning that a person shows initiative.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first, isolated record is from 1567, in the phrase en prenant l'initiative, in the sense of the action of the person who is the first to propose or organize something.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

The word was rare until the end of the 18th century.^[3][6][7] It then came into political use for the right of the king or the members of a parliament to propose laws (1790),^[2][6] Bloch and Wartburg dating this political use to 1787.^[3] The original sense of taking the lead returned in general use in 1802–1803,^[2] and the right to propose gave the sense “freedom to choose” (about 1800).^[2][6] The idea of beginning led in 1842 to the quality of a person ready to undertake things, as in l'esprit d'initiative.^[2][6]

In Swiss French and in constitutional law, initiative populaire is a proposal of law that can be put to a popular vote once enough citizens have backed it.^[6] English took the word from French;^[8][6] Etymonline dates it to 1775 in the sense “power of initiating”, and Rey notes that it was common in English by 1793, which suggests the French sense had been revived before the Revolution.^[8][6]

Timeline

• 1567 – First, isolated record, in prendre l'initiative.^[2][6]
• 1775 – English initiative is first recorded, from French.^[8]
• 1787 – Used in politics of the king's power to set the legislature in motion.^[3][4]
• 1790 – De Lolme's Constitution de l'Angleterre uses it for the right to propose laws.^[2]
• 1800 – Boiste records the sense “freedom to choose”.^[2]
• 1802 – The general sense “first proposing or organizing something” reappears.^[2][5]
• 1842 – Reybaud writes l'esprit d'initiative, of a readiness to undertake things.^[2]
• 1876 – Taine uses initiative privée.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. The action of being the first to propose, undertake or organize something: prendre l'initiative de, sur l'initiative de quelqu'un.^[9][2][10]
2. An action or intervention undertaken on one's own: une initiative courageuse.^[9][10]
3. (politics) The right to submit a proposal to the competent authority, especially the right to propose laws.^[9][11][2]
4. The quality of someone who acts on their own and takes decisions without being prompted, enterprise: l'esprit d'initiative.^[10][2]

Related words

• initier
• initiation
• initial
• Latin initium
• English initiative

Usage notes

Initiative populaire is the Swiss and constitutional term for a proposal of law submitted to a popular vote.^[6]

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 l m n 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
8. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
11. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette