patriotisme

Forms

patriotisme m (plural patriotismes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French patriote + -isme,^[2][3][4][1] probably under the influence of the English word patriotism, recorded since 1726.^[2][3][5] Its base comes from Late Latin patriota (“compatriot”), from Ancient Greek πατριώτης (patriṓtēs); its modern sense goes back to 1562 and became current in the 18th century, probably after the English word patriot.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1749 in the Bibliothèque raisonnée, then in 1750 in the journal of the Marquis d'Argenson, meaning devoted attachment to one's country.^[2][6][3]

Semantic evolution

The word names an emotional and moral attitude of active attachment to one's country, without the abstract or theoretical content of other words in -isme such as nationalisme.^[3] The Académie recorded it in 1762.^[7] It can be used disparagingly, as in patriotisme de clocher “parochialism” and patriotisme provincial.^[8][9] In the 19th century polemical or disparaging words appeared beside it: patrioterie (1828), patriotard (1899, Clemenceau), and Rimbaud's jocular patrouillotisme (1870), a blend with patrouille.^[3]

Timeline

• 1726 – English patriotism is recorded.^[2][5]
• 1749 – First French record, in the Bibliothèque raisonnée.^[2][3]
• 1750 – D'Argenson uses patriotisme and patriotique.^[2][6][10]
• 1762 – The Académie records the word.^[7]
• 1828 – The disparaging patrioterie appears.^[3]
• 1870 – Rimbaud coins the jocular patrouillotisme.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. Patriotism: love of one's country and devotion to it, with the will to defend it, especially against armed attack.^[11][2][10]
2. (disparaging) Patriotisme de clocher: narrow attachment to one's own town or region.^[8][9]

Word family

• antipatriotisme

Related words

• patrie
• patriote
• patriotique
• patriotard

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 d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
8. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
9. ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
10. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
11. ^ Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert