malheureusement

Forms

malheureusement^[1] Middle French maleüreusement; the spelling malheureusement dates from the 16th century.^[2]

Etymology

It is formed from French malheureux + -ment.^[3][4][1] Littré analyses it as the feminine malheureuse with the suffix -ment.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1379, in Cuvelier's chronicle of Bertrand du Guesclin, meaning “in an unfortunate or untoward way”.^[3][2]

Semantic evolution

The old sense “in an unfortunate manner” is now rare.^[6][7] The usual modern sense, “by misfortune, regrettably”, used as a sentence adverb, is first recorded in Bossuet's funeral oration for the Prince de Condé (1687).^[3][6][2] Littré notes that in this sense it can open the sentence.^[5]

Timeline

• 1379 – First record, in Cuvelier's chronicle of Bertrand du Guesclin, in the sense “in an unfortunate way”.^[3]
• 16th century – The spelling malheureusement replaces maleüreusement.^[2]
• 1687 – Bossuet uses it in the sense “by misfortune”.^[3][2]

Meanings

Adverb

1. (sentence adverb) unfortunately, regrettably, sadly: malheureusement, le train était déjà parti.^[7][1]
2. (rare) In an unfortunate or untoward manner: il est tombé malheureusement.^[7][3]

Related words

• malheureux
• malheur
• heureusement

Usage notes

In the modern sense it is a sentence adverb, opposed to heureusement.^[7]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
3. ^ a b c d e f 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
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, 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