pacifisme

Forms

pacifisme m (plural pacifismes)^[1]

Etymology

It is a learned formation from French pacifique + -isme.^[2][1][3] The adjective is from Latin pācificus (“peacemaking”), from pāx (“peace”) and faciō (“to make”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Richard de Radonvilliers proposed it in 1845 for a system of pacification, anything that tends to set up or keep peace.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The word was taken up again in 1901, apparently coined afresh by the anti-war writer Émile Arnaud,^[5][6] and came into wide use in the early 20th century, with pacifiste (1906).^[2][5][4] English pacifism was borrowed from it in 1902.^[6]

Timeline

• 1845 – Richard de Radonvilliers proposes pacifisme.^[2][5]
• 1901 – Émile Arnaud uses it again.^[2][6]
• 1902 – English borrows it as pacifism.^[6]
• 1906 – Bernanos uses it in a letter.^[2]
• 1907 – The Larousse records it.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The doctrine or attitude that rejects war as a means of settling conflicts between nations and seeks peace through negotiation and disarmament.^[2][3][7]
2. The views of pacifists.^[8][9]

Related words

• pacifiste
• pacifique
• pacifier
• English pacifism

Usage notes

Its opposite is bellicisme.^[8][7]

References

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