précisément

Forms

précisément^[1] Middle French precisement, without the accent; the spelling précisément is recorded by Cotgrave in 1611.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is formed from French précis + -ment, from the feminine of the adjective précis (“precise”).^[2][4][1][5] Littré held that the acute accent on the second ⟨e⟩ was a mistake of the modern language.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1314 in Henri de Mondeville's Chirurgie, meaning “with precision, exactly”: shears “will not cut away precisely what has grown over” (ne trenceront jà precisement ce qui est surajousté).^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

Besides “exactly”, the adverb expressed punctuality, “just at the right time” (1414, Laurent de Premierfait).^[2][6] Then its meaning weakened: from 1675 (Madame de Sévigné) it marks a coincidence or agreement between two sets of facts, and since 1779 (Madame de Genlis) it is used on its own as a reply, “exactly, just so”.^[2][6][3]

Timeline

• 1314 – Henri de Mondeville uses precisement “exactly”.^[2]
• 1414 – Laurent de Premierfait uses it for “just in time”.^[2]
• 1611 – Cotgrave spells it précisément.^[2]
• 1675 – Madame de Sévigné uses it to mark a coincidence.^[2][3]
• 1779 – Madame de Genlis uses it alone as an answer.^[2][3]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Precisely, with precision, exactly; also “specifically”.^[7][1]
2. (in answers) Exactly, just so.^[7][1]
3. (in negative phrases) Not exactly; by euphemism, not at all.^[7]
4. Marks an agreement between two facts or ideas, or introduces an argument drawn from what was just said: justement.^[7][2]

Related words

• précis
• précision
• préciser

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert