Etymologically
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prestige

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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
  • 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)