préparatoire

Forms

préparatoire (plural préparatoires)^[2]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin praeparātōrius (“preparatory”), from praeparō (“to prepare”).^[3][4][5][6] The Robert dictionaries treat it as formed on préparer after the Latin adjective,^[7][1] and the Wiktionnaire as from French préparer + -atoire.^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1322 in the Reims archives, in congnoissance preparatoire, with the sense “that prepares”.^[3][6]

Semantic evolution

From the general sense “that prepares something”, the adjective was specialized in law in jugement and sentence préparatoire (1690), a ruling that orders measures of inquiry before the case is judged.^[3][4][1] Littré also records the old question préparatoire, torture applied to an accused before judgement.^[5] Middle French used it as a noun as well: Monstrelet's fit ses preparatoires “made his preparations” is a 15th-century example.^[5]

In education it appears in école préparatoire (1836) and cours préparatoire (1893); the classe préparatoire for the competitive entrance examinations to the grandes écoles became the feminine noun préparatoire, familiarly shortened to prépa.^[3][4][6][1]

Timeline

• 1322 – First recorded in the Reims archives.^[3][7]
• 15th century – Monstrelet uses preparatoires as a noun.^[5]
• 1690 – Furetière records jugements, sentences préparatoires.^[3][4]
• 1836 – Lamartine writes of an école préparatoire.^[3][4]
• 1893 – The Dictionnaire général records cours préparatoire.^[6]
• Late 19th century – Classe préparatoire, and préparatoire as a feminine noun.^[6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. preparatory, serving to prepare something or someone: une réunion préparatoire au sommet.^[1][3][2]
2. (law) Jugement préparatoire: an interim ruling ordering measures of inquiry without deciding the merits.^[1][3]
3. Cours préparatoire (C.P.): the first year of French primary school.^[1]
4. Classe préparatoire, also as a feminine noun préparatoire, familiarly prépa: a course preparing students for the entrance examinations of the grandes écoles.^[1][6]

Related words

• préparer
• préparation
• préparateur
• prépa
• Latin praeparō

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
2. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
3. ^ 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
4. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Wiktionnaire (French Wiktionary), fr.wiktionary.org