invalider

Forms

invalider^[1]

Etymology

It is a derivative from French invalide + -er.^{[2][3][4][5][1]} The adjective is from Latin invalidus (“weak, without strength”), and Bloch and Wartburg note that its legal sense developed in French in the 16th century.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1452 as the past participle invalidée, as a legal term, in a document published by Champollion-Figeac.^[2][7][8] In 1470 a text on the history of Burgundy has entend que sa protestation ait invalidé ledit traitté “intends that his protest should have voided the said treaty”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The verb began as a legal term for making or declaring an act null.^[8][6] In the 19th century it took on a political sense from the legal one: invalider une élection, to declare an election void, is dated 1876, and invalider un député, to unseat a member whose election is annulled, 1893.^[7][8][6] As a medical term (early 20th century) it means to disable, the subject being the cause.^[8]

Timeline

• 1452 – The participle invalidée appears in a legal document.^[2][7]
• 1470 – The verb is used of voiding a treaty.^[2]
• 16th century – Agrippa d'Aubigné writes of an agreement that the emperor invalida.^[9]
• 1876 – Invalider une élection is recorded.^[7][8]
• 1893 – The Dictionnaire général records invalider un député.^[7]
• Early 20th century – The medical sense “to disable” appears.^[8]

Meanings

Verb

1. (law) To make or declare (an act, contract or procedure) invalid, legally void: Le juge a invalidé la vente pour vice de forme.^{[2][4][5][10][11]}
2. (politics) To declare (an élection) void, and by extension to unseat (an elected member): un député invalidé.^{[7][4][5][10]}
3. (medicine) To disable, make an invalide of: La chute l'a invalidé pour plusieurs mois.^[4][10][8]

Related words

• invalide
• valider
• invalidation
• invalidité
• Latin invalidus

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ a b c Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
11. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)