oxyde

Forms

oxyde m (plural oxydes)^[1] First spelled oxide (1787); the spelling with ⟨y⟩ is recorded from 1801.^[2][3]

Etymology

It was coined in 1787 by the chemist Guyton de Morveau, as oxide.^[2][3][4][5] It is from Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp, sour, acid”).^{[2][3][4][6][7]} The Petit Robert and Wiktionary analyse it as oxy- or oxygène combined with the ending of acide;^[8][1] Guyton de Morveau said the word recalls the substance joined to the metal, while showing that the compound is not to be confused with an acid.^[2][4] The spelling with ⟨y⟩ follows the other derivatives of the Greek word.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Guyton de Morveau introduced oxide in the Nomenclature chimique of 1787, for the combination of oxygen with a metal.^[2][3][9]

Semantic evolution

Coined with the new chemical nomenclature of Guyton de Morveau and Lavoisier, the word was spelled oxyde from 1801 (Haüy).^[2][3][1] Its sense widened to any compound of oxygen with an element or a radical.^[2][9] Since the 1840s it has also been used loosely for any product of the surface corrosion of metals in air, such as rust and verdigris.^[3][9][8]

The verb oxyder dates from the same year, and oxydation from 1788, at first as Lavoisier's oxidation.^[3] English took oxide from the French word in 1790.^[10]

Timeline

• 1787 – Guyton de Morveau coins oxide, and the verb oxidé.^[2][3]
• 1788 – Lavoisier uses oxidation.^[3]
• 1790 – English borrows oxide.^[10]
• 1801 – The spelling oxyde appears in Haüy's treatise on mineralogy.^[2]
• 1842 – Used for the corrosion of metals in general.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (chemistry) An oxide: a compound of oxygen with an element, an organic molecule or a radical: oxyde de carbone, oxyde de cuivre.^{[2][8][11][12]}
2. Loosely, the rust or film that forms on a metal exposed to air.^[9][8][3]

Word family

• oxyder
• oxydation

Related words

• oxygène
• acide
• Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxús)
• English oxide

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 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 f g h i j k l 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 7, 452b
8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
11. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
12. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)