résonateur

Forms

résonateur m (plural résonateurs)^[1]

Etymology

It is a learned derivative from French résonner + -ateur.^[2][3][4] It kept the Latinizing spelling with one ⟨n⟩, as in résonance, although the spelling ⟨résonnateur⟩ was tried in 1868.^[3][5] The verb is borrowed from Latin resonō (“to resound”) (about 1150).^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The revised TLF dates it from 1863, as an adjective in tube résonnateur, in the French translation of an article by Helmholtz on the sounds of the siren, for a tube that weakens all sounds but its own.^[7] The Grand Robert gives 1862.^[5]

Semantic evolution

As a noun it named, from 1866, the small glass or metal globes with which Helmholtz analysed timbre, the résonateurs de Helmholtz (1870 in the DHLF).^[7][3] By 1869 physiologists applied it to the cavities of the vocal apparatus that amplify the sound of the vocal cords.^[7] From 1893 it spread to various devices in which resonance occurs;^[3] résonateur de Hertz is recorded from 1891 for the electromagnetic device, and résonateur à quartz from 1932, translating English quartz resonator.^[7]

Timeline

• 1863 – Tube résonnateur in a translation of Helmholtz.^[7]
• 1866 – First used as a noun, for Helmholtz's resonators.^[7]
• 1868 – The spelling résonnateur is recorded.^[2][3]
• 1869 – Used in physiology of the cavities that amplify the voice.^[7]
• 1891 – Poincaré writes of the résonateur de Hertz.^[7]
• 1932 – Résonateur à quartz is first recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. (physics) A resonator, a device or body capable of entering into resonance under the action of a periodic force: résonateur acoustique, résonateur de Helmholtz, résonateur à quartz.^[2][4][7]
2. (phonetics) Each of the cavities above the glottis that amplify the sound wave produced by the vocal cords.^[8][7]

Adjective

1. (rare) That produces a resonance, that makes something resound.^[2][8]

Related words

• résonner
• résonance
• English resonator

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Steinfeld, Nadine; Buchi, Éva, eds. (2005–), TLF-Étym: révision des notices étymologiques du Trésor de la langue française informatisé, Nancy: ATILF
8. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse