métamorphose

Forms

métamorphose f (plural métamorphoses)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin metamorphōsis (“change of shape”),^[2][3][4][5] from Ancient Greek μεταμόρφωσις (metamórphōsis),^[2][1] a derivative of μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō, “to transform”), formed from μετά (metá) and μορφή (morphḗ, “form”).^[6][2][7] The French word was first used for the title of Ovid's mythological poems, and the TLFi and the Grand Robert treat that use apart from the common noun, which the Petit Robert dates from 1493 and the Grand Robert from about 1530.^[2][8][9]

Earliest recorded meaning

Nicole Oresme uses it about 1365 in his treatise on money as the French name of Ovid's Metamorphoses.^[2][3] As a common noun it first appears in 1493, in Colard Mansion's Bible des poètes, for a change from one form into another that the pagans said was worked by the gods.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The word stayed close to ancient mythology until the 17th century, when it spread to everyday use.^[3] From 1668 (Molière's Amphitryon) it meant a striking change in someone's fortune or character, and the Académie recorded in 1694 its use for the changes that substances undergo through natural causes.^[2][3]

From that natural sense it entered zoology: Réaumur used it in 1736 for the stages of insect development, a use that Rey thinks may also owe something to the verb métamorphoser.^[2][3] A botanical sense followed in the 19th century.^[2] The verb métamorphoser is recorded from 1571.^[4][3]

Timeline

• c. 1365 – Oresme uses it for the title of Ovid's poems.^[2]
• 1488 – The plural renders the title of Ovid's work in the Mer des histoires.^[6]
• 1493 – Colard Mansion uses it for a change of form worked by the gods.^[2][4]
• 1571 – The verb métamorphoser is first recorded.^[4][3]
• 1668 – Molière applies it to a great change in a person's fortune or character.^[2][3]
• 1694 – The Académie records it for the transformation of substances by natural causes.^[2]
• 1736 – Réaumur uses it in zoology for the development of insects.^[2][3]
• 1874 – A botanical sense is recorded in Larousse's dictionary.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A change of form, nature or structure so great that the being or thing is no longer recognizable, especially the transformations of the gods in Greek and Roman mythology.^[2][8]
2. (biology) The metamorphosis of certain animals, such as insects and amphibians, which change their form and structure before reaching the adult stage.^[8][2]
3. (figurative) A complete change in a person's character, situation or appearance: la métamorphose de la ville.^[2][6]

Word family

• métamorphoser

Related words

• Latin metamorphōsis
• English metamorphosis

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r 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 e f g h i j Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d 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. 6/2, 57a
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert