pratiquer

Forms

pratiquer^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French pratique (“practice”) + -er.^{[2][3][4][1][5]} The noun, recorded from 1256, is from Late Latin practicē, from Ancient Greek πρακτική (praktikḗ, “practical science”), the practical as opposed to the speculative science in Plato;^[6][7] Medieval Latin used it as practica in scholastic and legal writing.^[6][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is in Oresme's translation of Aristotle's Ethics (1370), meaning to put something into practice; there it appears as the present participle used as a noun, pratiquans.^[2][8][9][5]

Semantic evolution

Besides “put into practice”, Middle French used the verb for “obtain, get hold of” (late 14th century, Deschamps), pratiquer argent “extort money” and “plot something with someone” (about 1470, Chastellain); these senses have died out.^[2][5] In 1477 it was used of lawyers practising in the courts, and in 1530 Palsgrave records it of a doctor beginning to practise medicine.^[2][5]

Commynes used it around 1500 for “frequent (a person)”; this sense too went out of use but came back in familiar speech, as in pratiquer un auteur (1890).^[2][5] From 1547 it also meant to make an opening or a passage, first in architecture.^[2][5] From 1548 it meant to carry out according to set rules, above all an operation in medicine.^[2][5] The religious sense, pratiquer une religion, is recorded in 1791 and the absolute use “observe the practices of one's religion” in 1855.^[2] The reflexive se pratiquer “be in use, be customary” dates from 1480.^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1370 – Oresme uses it for “put into practice”.^[2][5]
• Late 14th century – Eustache Deschamps uses it for “obtain”.^[2][9]
• c. 1470 – Chastellain writes pratiquer argent “extort money”.^[2]
• 1477 – A royal ordinance uses it of lawyers practising in the courts.^[2]
• 1480 – The reflexive se pratiquer “be customary” appears.^[2][5]
• c. 1500 – Commynes uses it for “frequent (a person)”.^[2][5]
• 1530 – Palsgrave records it of a doctor practising medicine.^[2]
• 1547 – It is used for making an opening in architecture.^[2][5]
• 1791 – Volney writes pratiquer une religion.^[2]

Meanings

Verb

1. To put into practice, apply (a rule, a moral or religious precept): pratiquer la tolérance.^[4][2][10]
2. (absolute) To observe the practices of one's religion.^[4][2]
3. To carry on regularly (an activity, a trade, a sport): pratiquer le tennis.^[4][1]
4. (absolute) To practise medicine.^[9][5]
5. To make (an opening or passage): pratiquer une fenêtre dans la cloison.^[5][2]
6. To carry out according to set rules, especially an operation in medicine.^[5][2]
7. (familiar) To frequent (a person, a place) or read regularly (an author).^[5][9]
8. (reflexive) Se pratiquer: to be in use, be customary.^[5][2]

Word family

• pratiquant
• praticable
• impraticable

Related words

• pratique
• praticien
• Late Latin practicē

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 k l m n o p q r s t u v w 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 9, 274b
8. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)