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islamique

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Etymology and origin of the French word islamique

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1835 Lamartine, Voyage en Orient More words from the 19th century
Ultimate origin
Arabic إسلام

Pronunciation

Forms

islamique (plural islamiques)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French islam + -ique.[2][3][4][5] The base noun, recorded in French from 1697, is a borrowing of Arabic إسلام (ʾislām, “submission, resignation to the will of God”),[2][1] the verbal noun of a verb meaning “to entrust oneself, submit”, itself from a root meaning “to be safe and sound”.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Lamartine uses it in his Voyage en Orient (1835), of the legends of Islam.[2][3][4] The GLLF dates it from Bescherelle (1845).[6]

Semantic evolution

It applies to whatever relates to Islam;[5][2] unlike the earlier islamite (1759), which musulman replaced, it has stayed in use.[5] It also serves as the second element of compounds.[2]

Timeline

  • 1697 – D'Herbelot records Islam for the religion and the lands of its followers.[2]
  • 1759 – Islamite appears, later supplanted by musulman.[5]
  • 1835 – Lamartine uses islamique.[2][5]
  • 1845 – Bescherelle records the word.[6]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Of, belonging to or relating to Islam: la loi islamique, the charia.[2][4][1]
  • islam
  • islamisme
  • islamiste
  • islamiser
  • musulman

Usage notes

The GLLF notes that of people one says musulman (or, dated, mahométan) rather than islamique.[6]

References

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

“Islamique.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/islamique. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·