interchangeable

Forms

interchangeable (plural interchangeables)^[1]

Etymology

It is probably borrowed from English interchangeable, recorded in English from the 15th century, first as Middle English enterchaungeable.^[2][3][4][5] The English word was itself borrowed from Old French entrechanjable (from 1200), which went out of use in Middle French.^[2][3][6] Wiktionary instead analyses it as formed from interchanger and -able.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded on 18 March 1870 in the newspaper La Liberté, in an article by De Suzanne cited in Littré's Supplement.^[2][4][5]

Semantic evolution

The word was first used of things that can be put in place of one another; in technical language it describes parts of the same function that can be swapped without adjustment.^[2][6] It was soon applied to people, often with a critical note, as of politicians or ministers who could replace one another.^[2][6]

The noun interchangeabilité was formed from it in 1902.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 1200 – Old French entrechanjable is recorded.^[2][3]
• 15th century – English interchangeable (Middle English enterchaungeable) appears.^[2][3]
• 1870 – Interchangeable is recorded in La Liberté.^[2][4]
• 1902 – The derivative interchangeabilité appears.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of parts or objects of the same kind and function: that can be put in place of one another, interchangeable: des pièces interchangeables.^[6][2]
2. Of people: replaceable by one another.^[6][2]

Word family

• interchangeabilité

Related words

• changer
• inchangeable
• English interchangeable

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 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
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 Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert