maximiser

Forms

maximiser^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from English maximize,^{[2][3][4][5][1]} which Bentham formed in 1802 from maximum and the suffix -ize.^[2][6][5] The French verb is shaped as if from maximum with -iser.^[3][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in 1828, in E. Dumont's translation of a work by Bentham on judicial organization and codification, meaning to raise to the highest degree.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

At first a term of philosophy, “to give the highest value or importance to”,^[4][5] it was used in 1907 of a fact or an idea given the greatest possible value.^[2][7] From the mid-20th century it means to bring something to its maximum, especially in economics, and in mathematics to find the values that make an expression as large as possible (1968).^[4][7] Its derivative maximisation dates from 1930,^[4] and maximaliser (1963), from maximal, is a doublet of it.^[5]

Timeline

• 1802 – Bentham uses the English verb maximize.^[2][6]
• 1828 – First French record, in Dumont's translation of Bentham.^[2][5]
• 1907 – The Larousse mensuel records it of facts and ideas.^[2][7]
• 1930 – Maximisation is recorded.^[4]
• 1968 – Larousse records the mathematical sense.^[7]

Meanings

Verb

1. (philosophy) To give the highest value or importance to.^[4][2]
2. To raise to its maximum, to maximize: maximiser les profits; maximaliser.^[4][2]
3. (mathematics) To find the values of the parameters that make an expression maximal.^[4][7]

Word family

• maximisation

Related words

• maximum
• maximal
• maximaliser
• minimiser
• English maximize

Usage notes

Its opposite is minimiser.^[4][7]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 f g h i Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse