Etymologically
Log in

modulaire

History Permalink

Etymology and origin of the French word modulaire

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1845–1846 Bescherelle More words from the 19th century
Ultimate origin
French module,-aire
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
French modulaire
English modular

Pronunciation

  • /mɔ.dy.lɛʁ/[1]

Forms

modulaire (plural modulaires)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French module + -aire.[2][1][3] English had modular earlier, in mathematics from 1798 and in architecture from 1842.[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Bescherelle's dictionary of 1845–1846, citing the Encyclopédie des gens du monde, records it in architecture.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In architecture the word first described the system of the classical orders, built on the module as a unit of proportion.[2][5] Littré gave the mathematical sense, “relating to a modulus”, in 1867.[2][4] In the 20th century it came to describe buildings and furniture made of units that can be combined in many ways, and it is also used in computing.[2][4][6]

Timeline

  • 1845–1846 – Bescherelle records it in architecture.[2][5]
  • 1867 – Littré records the mathematical sense.[2]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (architecture, history) Based on the use of the module in the classical orders: architecture modulaire.[2][7]
  2. Made of modules or units that can be assembled in different ways: construction modulaire, mobilier modulaire.[2][6]
  3. (mathematics) Relating to a modulus: fonction modulaire.[7][6]

Word family

  • modularité
  • module

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
Cite this entry

“Modulaire.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/modulaire. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·