pressentir

Forms

pressentir^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin praesentiō (“to perceive beforehand”),^{[2][3][4][5][6]} formed from prae (“before”) and sentiō (“to feel, perceive”).^[2][3][7] In Latin philosophy the verb served for “to have an innate idea of”, matching the Greek noun Ancient Greek πρόληψις (prólēpsis).^[3] Wiktionary analyses it as from French pré- + sentir.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1414, in an ordinance of Charles VI, in the phrase pressentir le bien du mal.^[2][3][4]

Semantic evolution

The verb expresses a dim awareness of something present that is not yet clear, and, with the stress on the prefix, “to foresee something through prudence or experience” (about 1456, Antoine de La Sale).^[3][2] Montaigne writes of a lady who already foresaw some misfortune.^[7]

With a person as object it has meant, since the 17th century (recorded 1690, Furetière), “to sound someone out” about their intentions; the classical construction pressentir si has aged.^[3][2] Its only derivative is pressentiment (1559), a premonition.^[3]

Timeline

• 1414 – First record, in an ordinance of Charles VI.^[2]
• c. 1456 – Antoine de La Sale uses it for “to foresee by experience”.^[2][3]
• 1559 – The derivative pressentiment is recorded.^[3]
• 1690 – Furetière records the sense “to sound someone out”.^[2][3]

Meanings

Verb

1. To have a premonition of, to foresee vaguely: pressentir un danger, “to sense danger”.^[8][2][9]
2. To be dimly aware of something not yet clearly apparent, to sense: elle pressentait la vérité, “she sensed the truth”.^[8][9]
3. To sound out someone about their intentions: on l'a pressenti pour diriger l'équipe, “he has been sounded out to lead the team”.^[8][7][2]

Word family

• pressentiment

Related words

• sentir
• Latin praesentiō

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 j Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 11, 472a
7. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse