observatoire

Forms

observatoire m (plural observatoires)^[1]

Etymology

The revised TLF etymology treats it as a calque from New Latin observatorium, a noun of place unknown in Classical Latin but used in astronomy from 1589 and by Gassendi in 1654.^[2] The TLFi, the DHLF, Bloch and Wartburg and the FEW make it a learned derivative from French observer + -oire, as Wartburg's FEW does.^[3][4][5][2] Littré explains it from a supposed Latin noun of that shape, formed on Latin observātor (“observer”).^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is in a letter of André de Graindorge to Huet dated 30 December 1667, about an observatory to be set up in a tower at Caen.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The word at first named the scientific building for astronomical observation, and later for meteorological observation as well.^[4][3] From 1675 it also meant any post from which something can be watched,^[2] a sense the TLFi and the DHLF date to 1783 (Linguet) and use in a military context from 1892.^[3][4] By extension it now also names a body that gathers and publishes information in a field, as in Observatoire du français contemporain.^[7][8]

English observatory was borrowed from the French in the 1670s, in reference to Greenwich.^[9]

Timeline

• 1667 – Graindorge's letter mentions an observatoire to be built at Caen.^[2][3]
• 1670s – English borrows it as observatory.^[9]
• 1675 – The Journal des Sçavans uses it for a post for observing the tide.^[2]
• 1783 – Linguet uses it for a place to watch from.^[3][4][7]
• 1892 – A military observation post.^[3][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. An observatory, a scientific establishment for astronomical and meteorological observation: l'Observatoire de Paris.^[7][3][8]
2. (by extension) A body that collects and publishes information on a subject: un observatoire économique.^[7][8]
3. A high place suited to observation, or a lookout post, also in the army: observatoire d'artillerie.^[7][3][10]

Related words

• observer
• observation
• observateur
• English observatory

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Steinfeld, Nadine; Buchi, Éva, eds. (2005–), TLF-Étym: révision des notices étymologiques du Trésor de la langue française informatisé, Nancy: ATILF
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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
4. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
10. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse