presbytérien

Forms

presbytérien (feminine presbytérienne, masculine plural presbytériens, feminine plural presbytériennes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from English presbyterian, adapted with the French suffix -ien.^[2][3][4] The English word, an adjective and noun recorded in 1641, is formed on presbyter (“elder, member of the assembly of elders”), from Latin presbyter.^[2][3] Etymonline traces the Latin word to Ancient Greek πρεσβύτερος (presbúteros, “elder”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found as a noun in 1649, in a French translation of a remonstrance of the ministers of the province of London, for a member of the Presbyterian church.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The noun named an adherent of the Reformed church governed by ministers and elders without bishops.^[3][6] The Académie recorded it in 1718.^[7] The adjective, for what belongs to Presbyterianism and its churches, is found before 1783 in d'Alembert, writing on the church of Geneva.^[2][3] In the 20th century it could also mean austere or prudish, as Presbyterians were thought to be.^[2]

Timeline

• 1641 – The English presbyterian is recorded.^[2][3]
• 1649 – First French record, as a noun.^[2][3]
• 1704 – Presbytérianisme is taken from the English presbyterianism.^[3]
• 1718 – The Académie records presbytérien.^[7]
• before 1783 – D'Alembert uses it as an adjective.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A Presbyterian, a Protestant who follows Presbyterianism.^[8][9][2]

Adjective

1. Presbyterian: of or relating to Presbyterianism or its churches.^[2][8][9]
2. Having the austerity or prudishness attributed to Presbyterians.^[2]

Related words

• presbytérianisme
• presbytère
• prêtre
• English presbyterian

Usage notes

Littré cites an older, unrelated use in Froissart, where presbiterien means a chaplain;^[6] the Grand Robert and the Petit Robert date this sense “chaplain” to the 14th century and derive it from presbytère.^[4][8]

References

1. ^ a b 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 e f g h i Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)