réciprocité

Forms

réciprocité f (plural réciprocités)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin reciprocitās (“reciprocity”),^{[2][3][4][5][1]} from Latin reciprocus (“reciprocal”) (see réciproque).^[4][6][7] By surface analysis it is the adjective with the suffix -ité.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in the Mercure de France in August 1729, for the quality of what is réciproque.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

The word expresses the character of what is reciprocal, as of a feeling, a relation or an action.^[3][2] It is used especially in international law, in à titre de réciprocité, réciprocité diplomatique and réciprocité législative, recorded in general dictionaries in 1962, and also in ethnography and logic (1964).^[3][6] Littré notes a grammatical use, for several subjects acting on one another.^[7] It has produced the rare irréciprocité (1922).^[3]

Timeline

• 1729 – First record, in the Mercure de France.^[2][4]
• 1922 – The derivative irréciprocité appears.^[3]
• 1962 – The legal phrases are recorded in the Robert.^[6][3]
• 1964 – Larousse records a further sense.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. Reciprocity, the character or state of what is reciprocal or mutual: la réciprocité d'une amitié.^[5][2][7]
2. (international law) The granting of equal rights or treatment between states: à titre de réciprocité, traité de réciprocité.^[5][3]
3. (grammar) The relation of several subjects acting on one another.^[7]

Word family

• irréciprocité

Related words

• réciproque
• réciproquement
• Latin reciprocus

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette