réactif

Forms

réactif (feminine réactive, masculine plural réactifs, feminine plural réactives)^[1] Noun: réactif m (plural réactifs).^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French réaction + -if,^[1] on the model of actif.^[2][3] Bloch and Wartburg list it under that adjective as an 18th-century derivative made after the noun.^[4] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert simply derive it from the noun.^[5][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in chemistry in 1740, in Castel's Optique des couleurs, meaning “containing a principle of reaction, that reacts”.^[2][7]

Semantic evolution

In chemistry the adjective was made a masculine noun (1797) for a substance used to reveal the nature of an unknown body by the effect it has on it; the noun is recorded in the account of La Pérouse's voyage.^[2][7] The Petit Robert dates the noun to 1801.^[6]

During the Revolution it was briefly used like réactionnaire: Necker wrote in 1792 of “reactive forces” seeking a policy of reaction.^[2][7] It was taken up again in the 20th century in electricity, of a circuit having réactance (1949; the DHLF has 1894), and in psychology (1968).^[2][7][3] Figuratively, the noun names a moral condition that brings out or reveals a person's feelings.^[2][6]

Timeline

• 1740 – Castel uses the adjective in chemistry.^[2][7]
• 1792 – Necker uses it in politics for forces working toward reaction.^[2]
• 1797 – The noun names a chemical reagent.^[2][7]
• 1832 – Balzac uses the derivative réactivement.^[7]
• 1949 – Circuit réactif is recorded in electricity.^[2][3][8]
• 1968 – A sense in psychology is recorded.^[2][3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That reacts or produces a reaction: force réactive.^[6][9][10]
2. (psychology) Consisting of a reaction, reactive.^[6][10]
3. (electricity) Of a circuit, having réactance: circuit réactif.^[2][3]
4. Quick to respond, responsive: Notre service client est très réactif.^[1]

Noun

1. (chemistry) A reagent, a substance taking part in a chemical reaction, especially one used to identify another by the reaction it produces.^[6][11][9]
2. (figurative) Something that brings out or reveals a person's feelings or character.^[6][2]

Word family

• réactivité
• réactivement

Related words

• rétroactif
• réaction
• actif
• réagir
• réactiver

Usage notes

Another word réactivité, formed on activité for “renewed activity” (1798), went out of use; the modern réactivité (mid-20th century) is formed on réactif.^[7]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ 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. ^ a b c d e f g Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
9. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
10. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
11. ^ Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)