manipulateur

Forms

manipulateur m (plural manipulateurs, feminine manipulatrice)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French manipuler + -ateur.^[2][3][1] The TLFi derives it from the verb although the noun (1738) is recorded before the verb (1765).^[2][4] Late Latin manipulator (“one who gathers sheaves”) is recorded, but the TLFi does not make it the source.^[2] The verb comes from manipule, a pharmacy term from Latin manipulus (“handful”), from manus (“hand”).^[4]

For the telegraph sense the TLFi notes that English manipulator is recorded from 1860.^[2] French also had a form manipuleur, “someone clever with his hands”, used by Beaumarchais in 1775.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in Voltaire's correspondence in 1738, meaning “someone who manipulates”;^[2][3] Rey says the first use was figurative, in a political context.^[5]

Semantic evolution

From 1762 (Guyton de Morveau) it named a person who carries out chemical operations, the sense Littré gives first, in chemistry and pharmacy.^[2][6][5] Littré in 1868 also records it as the instrument that sends the signals on an electric telegraph line, worked by hand as the name says.^[2][6] The 1931 Larousse records it for a conjurer who specialises in sleight of hand.^[2][7] An adjectival use, “arising from political manipulation”, is recorded from 1968, and Rey dates the adjective to the mid-20th century.^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1738 – First record, in Voltaire's correspondence.^[2][3]
• 1762 – Guyton de Morveau uses it for a person who performs chemical operations.^[2][7]
• 1775 – Beaumarchais uses the form manipuleur.^[2]
• 1868 – Littré records it as the sending key of a telegraph.^[2][6]
• 1931 – The Larousse records the sense “conjurer”.^[2][7]
• 1968 – First record as an adjective.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A person who carries out manipulations, an opérateur: manipulateur de laboratoire, a laboratory assistant, and manipulateur radio, a radiographer assisting radiologists.^[8][2][7]
2. A conjurer who specialises in sleight of hand.^[8][7]
3. A person who manipulates others, as in Méfie-toi de lui, c'est un manipulateur.^[8][1]
4. (technology) A lever-shaped telegraph key used to send signals: manipulateur Morse.^[8][7][1]
5. (technology) A machine for handling and moving heavy loads.^[8]

Adjective

1. Used to carry out manipulations: bras manipulateur, a robot arm.^[8]
2. manipulative, manipulating people, as in Une mère manipulatrice.^[2][1]

Related words

• manipuler
• manipulation
• manipule

References

1. ^ a b c d e f 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert