misogynie

Forms

misogynie f (plural misogynies)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek μισογυνία (misogunía, “hatred of women”),^[2][3][4] formed from μισέω (miséō, “to hate”) and γυνή (gunḗ, “woman”).^[1] The Greek noun is related to μισογύνης (misogúnēs, “woman-hater”),^[5] the source of misogyne.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Boiste's dictionary records it in 1812, meaning an aversion to women.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The adjective misogyne had been borrowed as early as 1564 but stayed rare until the 19th century;^[4][2] misogynie appeared when the adjective came into common use.^[4][2] The Larousse of 1903 gives a psychiatric sense, a man's aversion to normal sexual relations.^[5] Today it means the hatred or contempt of women in general.^[6][2]

Timeline

• 1564 – The adjective misogyne is first recorded, in Marconville.^[2][4]
• 1812 – Boiste records misogynie.^[2][3]
• 1903 – Larousse records a psychiatric sense.^[5]
• c. 1950 – The adjective misogynique appears.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. Misogyny, hatred or contempt of women: on lui reprochait sa misogynie.^[6][2]
2. A tendency, usually in a man, to avoid the company of women.^[2]
3. (psychiatry, dated) A man's aversion to sexual relations with women.^[5]

Related words

• misogyne
• misogynique
• misandrie

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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert