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rapidement

Etymology and origin of the French word rapidement

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1611, Cotgrave
Ultimate origin
Latin (rapidus)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin rapidus
French rapide
English rapid
French rapidement

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ʁa.pid.mɑ̃/[1]

Forms

rapidement[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French rapide + -ment.[2][1][3] It took the place of Old and Middle French radement, recorded from about 1225 and formed on rade, the inherited popular counterpart of rapide.[2][4] The adjective is borrowed from Latin rapidus, from rapiō (“to seize, carry away”).[5][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cotgrave's French–English dictionary of 1611 is the first to record it.[2][6] The older radement appears in the 13th century in Henri de Valenciennes, of a deep river that “couroit trop radement” (ran very fast).[7]

Semantic evolution

Its meaning has stayed close to that of the adjective: moving at great speed, or happening in a short time.[2][6] In the classical period it could also mean “cruelly, violently”, from the idea of passions carried away in a rush; this sense has been lost.[4] In the 20th century familiar French formed rapidos (1928) and the jocular rapido-presto, after Italian tempo marks.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 1225 – The older adverb radement in Durmart le Gallois.[2]
  • 1611 – Rapidement recorded by Cotgrave.[2][6]
  • 1694 – Recorded by the Académie.[2]
  • 1928 – The familiar rapidos.[4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Quickly, at great speed: partir rapidement.[8][2]
  2. In a short time, without delay: agir rapidement, parcourir rapidement le journal.[8][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Rapidement.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/rapidement. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·