négociable

Forms

négociable (plural négociables)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French négocier + -able.^[2][1][3][4] Rey notes that it is the only adjective formed directly from the verb.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in a document of 8 July 1678, printed in Jacques Savary's Le Parfait négociant, of a bill of exchange that can be turned into money.^[2][4] The Petit Robert dates it to 1675.^[5]

Semantic evolution

Littré defines it as what can be negotiated, mainly of public stocks, bills of exchange and notes.^[6] The sense “that can be discussed and settled”, of an agreement, is recorded from 1823 (Las Cases),^[2][4] and a figurative use, of an asset that can be turned to account, from 1941 (Valéry).^[2][7] The derivative négociabilité appeared in 1771.^[2][4]

Timeline

• 1678 – First record, of a bill that can be converted into cash.^[2][3]
• 1771 – The noun négociabilité is recorded in the Trévoux dictionary.^[2]
• 1823 – Las Cases uses it of an agreement open to negotiation.^[2][4]
• 1941 – Valéry uses it figuratively.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (finance) Of a security or commercial paper: that can be transferred or sold, cessible, as in Ces obligations sont négociables en Bourse.^[2][5][7]
2. (figurative) That can be turned to account.^[7][2]
3. Open to négociation, that can be discussed, as in Le prix de la maison est négociable.^[5][2][1]

Word family

• négociabilité

Related words

• négocier
• négoce

References

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