irresponsable

Forms

irresponsable (plural irresponsables)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French ir- + responsable, with the form of the prefix in- used before /r/.^[2][3][4] responsable is a learned formation on Latin responsus, the past participle of respondeō in the sense “to stand surety”.^[4] The FEW files it under the Latin verb.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1786 in the Promenade de Clarisse, attributed to Beaumarchais, meaning “not answerable for one's acts”.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

Rey notes that it had both its legal and its everyday value from the start.^[7] In law it describes someone who cannot be held to account, such as a child, a person of unsound mind or a head of state.^[8][6] The common sense, someone who acts without a sense of responsibility, regardless of consequences, is dated 1924 (Gide) by the GLLF, and the Petit Robert attributes it to English influence.^[6][8] The noun un irresponsable, a person who acts thoughtlessly, is recorded in 1934, in Duhamel.^[7][6] The derivative irresponsabilité (1790) replaced the older non-responsabilité (1784).^[7]

Timeline

• 1786 – First record, in the Promenade de Clarisse.^[2][4]
• 1790 – The noun irresponsabilité is recorded.^[7]
• 1924 – Gide uses it of a person who acts thoughtlessly.^[6]
• 1934 – Duhamel uses un irresponsable as a noun.^[7][6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (law) Not answerable for one's acts; not legally responsible: l'accusé a été déclaré irresponsable.^[8][6]
2. Acting without a sense of responsibility, without weighing the consequences; irresponsible, reckless: une décision irresponsable.^[8][6]

Noun

1. A person who acts thoughtlessly or cannot be held to account: une bande de jeunes irresponsables.^[8][6]

Word family

• irresponsabilité

Related words

• responsable
• responsabilité
• répondre

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 10, 313b
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert