prestige

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pʁɛs.tiʒ/^[1]

Forms

prestige m (plural prestiges)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin praestīgium (“trickery; illusion”),^{[2][3][4][5][1][6]} a neuter singular formed from the more usual feminine plural praestīgiae (“conjuring tricks, illusions”).^[3][4][7] This comes by dissimilation from “*praestrigiae”, related to the phrase “praestringere oculos” “to dazzle the eyes”, from praestringō (“to bind tight in front”), from prae- (“before”) and stringō (“to draw tight”), the source of étreindre.^[3][8] Littré proposed a link with Greek “stízein” “to prick”.^[9]

Earliest recorded meaning

Denis Foulechat's translation of John of Salisbury's Policraticus (1372) uses it for an illusion caused by spells;^[2][3] Bloch and Wartburg and the Grand Robert date it from 1518.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

Mostly in the plural, as in Latin, prestiges were illusions worked by magic or the devil, and then by natural means (1688, La Bruyère).^[2][3] Weakened like charme and enchantement, the word came to mean the strong impression made by works of literature and art (about 1650): les prestiges du théâtre.^[2][3][9]

These senses faded outside literary style, and also from about 1750 (Rousseau) prestige took its modern sense, the standing that commands admiration and respect.^[2][3][8] In the 20th century de prestige (politique de prestige) became a fashionable term of praise in advertising and then in general use.^[3][7]

Timeline

• 1372 – An illusion caused by spells.^[2][3]
• 1518 – Date given by Bloch and Wartburg.^[4][5]
• c. 1650 – The impression made by works of literature.^[2][3]
• 1688 – An illusion by natural means (La Bruyère).^[2]
• c. 1750 – Standing, prestige (Rousseau).^[2][3]
• 1962 – Politique de prestige.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. Prestige, the standing that commands admiration and respect: le prestige de l'uniforme.^[8][10]
2. De prestige: meant to impress: politique de prestige.^[10][3]
3. (literary, dated) An illusion caused by magic; a seductive artifice.^[8][2]

Word family

• prestigieux

Related words

• prestidigitateur
• Latin praestīgium
• English prestige

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 k l Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c 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. 9, 317a
7. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)