libertaire

Forms

libertaire (plural libertaires)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French liberté + -aire.^[2][3][4][5] According to the Wiktionnaire, the anarchist writer Joseph Déjacque coined it in opposition to libéral, in an open letter to Proudhon published in New Orleans in May 1857, on the model of prolétaire, as other socialists of the time formed égalitaire and fraternitaire.^[6] liberté is from Latin lībertās.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi's first record is the noun in Proudhon in 1858; the adjective follows in Zola's Travail in 1901.^[2][4][3]

Semantic evolution

From the start a learned and ideological word, libertaire became a synonym of anarchiste, and in 1892 it gave its name to a review, keeping this specific value.^[4] The GLLF records it in Larousse in 1902.^[8] The Wiktionnaire also gives it the sense of an education that refuses the teacher's authority and discipline, and a use of free-market liberal ideas.^[6]

Timeline

• 1857 – Joseph Déjacque uses it in an open letter to Proudhon.^[6]
• 1858 – First record as a noun, in Proudhon.^[2][4]
• 1892 – A review takes the word as its name.^[4]
• 1901 – First record as an adjective, in Zola.^[2]
• 1902 – Larousse records the word.^[8]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Accepting no limit on individual freedom in social and political matters; inspired by a doctrine of absolute freedom; anarchist.^[5][2][8]
2. (education) Refusing the teacher's authority and discipline so as to leave the child the greatest freedom.^[6]
3. Based on free-market liberal ideas; libertarian.^[6]

Noun

1. A supporter of absolute individual freedom; an anarchiste.^[5][8][6]

Related words

• liberté
• libre
• libéral
• libertin
• anarchiste
• Latin lībertās

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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 d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org
7. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse