locomotion

Forms

locomotion f (plural locomotions)^[1]

Etymology

It is a learned compound from French loco- + motion,^[2][3][4][5] formed on the model of the adjectives locomotif and locomoteur.^[4] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert derive it from the first of these adjectives, after Latin mōtiō (“movement”).^[6][7] The noun motion “action of moving, movement” comes from the same Latin word, from the supine of moveō (“to move”);^[2][8] the first element is from locus (“place”).^[9]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record, in Cugnot in 1771 (cited by Brunot), already has the sense “the act and the faculty of moving from one place to another”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

From its first uses the word covered both the physiological function of moving about, also called the locomotor function, and the movement or transport of people and things from one place to another.^[4][2] Unlike locomotif and locomoteur, which gave locomotive, it did not specialize in railways.^[4] The everyday sense is now mostly in moyens de locomotion “means of transport”.^[7][3]

English locomotion is older: Etymonline dates it to the 1640s, from Latin loco and motio, and the sense “movement from place to place” to 1788.^[10]

Timeline

• 1771 – Cugnot uses it for the act and faculty of moving from place to place.^[2]
• 1835 – The Académie française includes it in its dictionary.^[2]
• 1873 – Littré gives it as a learned term.^[11]

Meanings

Noun

1. (biology) Locomotion, the faculty of living beings of moving from one place to another, and the function that ensures it: la locomotion des insectes.^[7][2][8][3]
2. The act of moving or transporting people or things from one place to another: moyens de locomotion.^[7][12][3]

Related words

• locomotive
• locomotif
• locomoteur
• motion
• mouvoir
• lieu¹
• Latin locus
• Latin moveō

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
4. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org
6. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
10. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
11. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
12. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)