Etymologically
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résultat

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ʁe.zyl.ta/[1]

Forms

résultat m (plural résultats)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Medieval Latin resultātum (“result”), a word of scholastic Latin, the neuter past participle of resultō (“to spring back, rebound”) used as a noun (see résulter).[2][3][4][1] Littré calls “resultatum” a fictitious supine of “resultare”.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The GLLF dates it to about 1570 (Carloix), the Grand Robert and the Petit Robert to 1589;[3][6][4][2] Cotgrave (1611) records it for whatever follows from something as its effect.[3][6][4][2]

Semantic evolution

It was a learned word before the 19th century: Littré gives only examples from Voltaire and Bonnet, though Molière and, often, Buffon used it.[6][4] Buffon (1749) has the plural for the findings of a scientific study, and Diderot (1749) the solution of a problem, the last stage of a calculation.[2]

In 1878 Flaubert uses it for the outcome of an election to the Académie française; by 1885 résultats were election scores and by 1899 sports results.[2] Familiarly it introduces a consequence: il a voulu sauter par la fenêtre; résultat, il s'est foulé la cheville.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 1570 – First record, in Carloix.[3]
  • 1611 – “Effect, outcome”, in Cotgrave.[2]
  • 1749 – Scientific findings, in Buffon; the result of a calculation, in Diderot.[2]
  • 1878 – The outcome of an election, in Flaubert.[2]
  • 1885 – Election scores.[2]
  • 1899 – Sports results.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A result, outcome, effect: être le résultat de, avoir pour résultat.[4][1]
  2. What one obtains by an effort, des résultats, achievements, success: obtenir des résultats.[3][4]
  3. (mathematics) The answer to a calculation or problem.[2][3]
  4. The outcome of a contest, examination or election, les résultats, the results.[2][3]
  5. (finance) Profit or loss, the bottom line: compte de résultat.[1]
  6. (familiar) As a result, so: résultat, il s'est foulé la cheville.[4]
  • résultatif
  • résulter
  • résultante
  • Medieval Latin resultātum

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 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  6. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert