monochrome

Forms

monochrome (plural monochromes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek μονόχρωμος (monókhrōmos, “of one colour”),^[2][3][1] from μόνος (mónos, “alone, single”) and χρῶμα (khrôma, “colour”).^[1][4][5] The Grand Robert and the GLLF also cite μονοχρώματος (monokhrṓmatos), since the form monochromate is recorded first, in the Trévoux dictionary of 1752.^[6][4] The usual date for the present form is 1765, in the Encyclopédie,^[6][4][3][7] while the TLFi has 1803 (Boiste) and the Petit Robert 1634.^[2][8] English monochrome is recorded in 1662, for a painting in camaïeu.^[2] Within French it belongs with mono- and -chrome, beside polychrome.^[9][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Encyclopédie of 1765 has it for what is of a single colour;^[4][6][3] Boiste's dictionary (1803) defines it as a painting of one colour.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The adjective has always meant “of one colour”, the shades of that colour being allowed to vary, as in paintings in camaïeu or black-and-white photographs.^[8][2] In 1868 Littré records its use for ancient sculptures left in the natural colour of the stone, as opposed to painted ones,^[4][5] and a noun un monochrome for a painting in one colour.^[5] In 20th-century art the noun names a work, usually abstract, painted in a single colour.^[10] The scientific monochromatique (1838) applies the idea to light of a single frequency.^[3] The noun monochromie dates from 1868.^[8]

Timeline

• 1662 – English monochrome is recorded for a painting in camaïeu.^[2]
• 1752 – The Trévoux dictionary records the form monochromate.^[4][6]
• 1765 – Monochrome appears in the Encyclopédie.^[4][6][7]
• 1803 – Boiste's dictionary defines it.^[2][7]
• 1838 – First record of monochromatique.^[3]
• 1868 – Littré records it for uncoloured ancient sculpture; monochromie is first recorded.^[4][8]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of a single colour, whose shades may vary: un écran monochrome, une gravure monochrome.^{[8][10][11][2]}

Noun

1. (art) A monochrome, a painting in a single colour, especially an abstract work of 20th-century art.^[10][5]

Word family

• monochromie

Related words

• polychrome
• monochromatique
• chrome
• Ancient Greek μονόχρωμος (monókhrōmos)

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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 d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
8. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ Picoche, Jacqueline (1991), Dictionnaire étymologique du français, Paris: Le Robert (Les Usuels du Robert)
10. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
11. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)