monétiser

Forms

monétiser^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin monēta (“money”) with the suffix -iser, a learned formation.^[2][3][1] The Robert dictionaries add that it was modelled on démonétiser.^[4][5] The same Latin word gave monnaie.^[1][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

In 1818 Marguery's dictionary defined it as giving paper the currency of money,^[7] and Boiste's of 1823 as giving paper notes the value and currency of coin.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Balzac used it figuratively in 1825 for judging everything, even a public office, by the money it brings in.^[2] The sense “to turn metal into coin” is recorded by Larousse in 1874.^[2][6] The noun monétisation dates from 1823.^[2]

Timeline

• 1818 – Marguery records it for giving paper the currency of money.^[7][5]
• 1823 – Boiste records monétiser and monétisation.^[2][3]
• 1825 – Balzac uses it figuratively.^[2]
• 1846 – Proudhon writes of the monétisation of gold and silver.^[2]
• 1874 – Larousse gives the sense “to turn metals into money”.^[2][6]
• 1878 – The Académie dictionary includes monétisation.^[2]

Meanings

Verb

1. (economics) To turn into money, to monetize, especially metal into coin.^[5][8][1]
2. (figurative, rare) To reduce to its money value.^[2]

Word family

• monétisation

Related words

• monnaie
• démonétiser
• monétaire
• Latin monēta

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
8. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)