optimiste

Forms

optimiste m or f by sense (plural optimistes)^[1]

Etymology

It is from French optimisme, with the suffix -iste put in place of -isme.^[2][3][1] That noun (1737) is a learned formation on Latin optimus (“best”), the superlative of bonus (“good”).^[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Trévoux dictionary records it in 1752 for one who holds optimism as a philosophical doctrine, the system of Leibniz in which everything that exists is the best possible.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Like optimisme, the word passed from philosophy into common use: in 1788 Collin d'Harleville's comedy L'Optimiste ou l'homme content de tout uses it for a person disposed to see everything in a good light.^[2][3] In the 20th century it came to mean, of a particular situation, confident that things will turn out well (1933, Jules Romains), and it is also said of things such as a forecast or an official report.^[5][6] It is the opposite of pessimiste.^[2]

Timeline

• 1737 – Optimisme is first recorded.^[2][4]
• 1752 – Optimiste is recorded by the Trévoux dictionary.^[2][4]
• 1788 – Collin d'Harleville's comedy L'Optimiste gives the general sense.^[2]
• 1933 – Jules Romains uses it for confidence in a particular situation.^[5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (philosophy) Relating to optimisme in philosophy or to its supporters.^[6][2]
2. (dated) Naturally inclined to see everything in a good light, content with one's lot.^[6][7]
3. Confident that a situation will turn out well: le chirurgien reste optimiste.^[6][8]
4. Showing such confidence: un bilan optimiste.^[8][6]

Noun

1. A supporter of philosophical optimism.^[6][7]
2. An optimist, a person who looks on the bright side.^[9][8][1]

Related words

• optimisme
• pessimiste
• optimum
• Latin optimus

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ 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
3. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
9. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)