réversible

Forms

réversible (plural réversibles)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Medieval Latin reversibilis, a legal term for property that must return to its owner,^[2][3][4] formed from Latin reversus, the supine and past participle of revertō (“to turn back, return”).^[3][2][5] Bloch and Wartburg, the Grand Robert and the Petit Robert describe it as a learned derivative of the Latin participle, which they date to 1682.^[6][7][8] The scientific sense was shaped in the 19th century by the English verb reverse.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

In a letter of 1610 François de Sales writes that a fund of money or land est reversible aux parens, returns to the relatives, after the death of the woman for whom it was given.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In feudal law it was said of what came back to the lord when a vassal died without heirs, and it was widened in 1690 to any property that must return to the owner who disposed of it.^[3] By a shift from return to transmission, perhaps helped by reverser, it was said about 1770 of a pension or annuity that passes to another person at the holder's death, and about 1791 in general use of what can benefit someone else.^[3] In theology mérites réversibles are merits that profit others.^[8][2]

In the 19th century, after English to reverse, it entered science for a mechanical, physical or chemical change that can run in either direction (1863). From 1877 it was used for anything that can happen again the other way.^[3][2][9] Technical phrases followed, such as hélice à pas réversible (1932) and rame réversible (1964), a train that can be driven from either end.^[3] Piaget used it in psychology (1950).^[2][3] A cloth or garment that can be worn inside out is réversible from 1870.^[2][10][3]

Timeline

• 1610 – François de Sales uses it in law.^[2][3]
• 1682 – The date Bloch and Wartburg give, in feudal law.^[6][7]
• 1690 – Extended to any property returning to its owner.^[3]
• 1745 – Réversibilité is first recorded.^[6][3]
• c. 1770 – Rousseau uses it of a pension passing to another person.^[3]
• 1863 – The Revue des Deux Mondes uses it in chemistry.^[2][9]
• 1870 – Littré records drap à envers réversible.^[2]
• 1907 – Irréversible is first recorded.^[3]
• 1964 – Rame réversible is recorded in railway use.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (law) Of property: that can or must return to the owner who disposed of it; of a pension or annuity: that passes to another person after the holder's death.^[8][2]
2. That can happen again in the opposite direction, that can go back: un processus réversible.^[4][11][8]
3. (chemistry, physics) Of a reaction or transformation: able to run in either direction.^[4][2]
4. Of a fabric or garment: that can be worn inside out as well as right side out.^[11][4]
5. (railways) Of a train set: having a driver's cab at each end.^[4][3]
6. (theology) Mérites réversibles: merits that benefit others.^[8]

Word family

• réversibilité
• irréversible

Related words

• revers
• réversion
• Latin revertō

References

1. ^ a b 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 h i j k l m n o p q Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 10, 358a
6. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
9. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
10. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
11. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)