motivation

Forms

motivation f (plural motivations)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French motiver + -ation.^[2][1][3] The verb motiver “to justify by reasons” (1721) is itself from French motif.^[2][4] The English word motivation, of the same meaning, is recorded from 1873.^[2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1845, proposed by Richard de Radonvilliers, then not again until 1899, meaning the act of giving the reasons that justify an action.^[2][4][6]

Semantic evolution

The word first belonged to philosophy and the law: the relation of an act to the reasons that explain or justify it.^[7][2] In 1916 Ferdinand de Saussure's Cours used it in linguistics for the non-arbitrary link between a sign and what it means, or between two forms.^[6][4]

In the 20th century it spread into psychology (recorded in 1955 by Lagache) for the conscious or unconscious forces that drive behaviour,^[6][7] and into economics (1958) for the factors that shape the conduct of a consumer.^[6][7] The psychological sense led to the adjective motivationnel (1959),^[4] and in everyday use motivation now means above all what drives a person to act.^[8][9]

Timeline

• 1721 – The verb motiver is recorded.^[2][4]
• 1845 – Motivation is proposed by Richard de Radonvilliers.^[2][6]
• 1873 – English motivation is recorded.^[2][5]
• 1899 – The word is recorded again, in Gide's Prométhée.^[2][4]
• 1916 – Saussure uses it in linguistics.^[6][4]
• 1955 – Recorded in psychology.^[6]
• 1958 – Recorded in economics.^[6]
• 1959 – The adjective motivationnel appears.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (philosophy, law) The relation of an act to the motives that explain or justify it; the statement of those reasons: la motivation d'une décision.^[7][2][9]
2. (psychology) The conscious or unconscious forces that drive behaviour; in everyday use, what makes someone want to act: il manque de motivation.^[7][8][9]
3. (economics) The factors that determine the behaviour of an economic agent, especially a consumer.^[7][6][9]
4. (linguistics) A natural, non-arbitrary relation between a word and its meaning, or between two words.^[7][6][4]

Word family

• motivationnel
• démotivation

Related words

• motiver
• motif
• English motivation

Usage notes

Lettre de motivation is the usual name for a covering letter sent with a job application.^[7]

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. ^ 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, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
9. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)