reçu

Forms

reçu (feminine reçue, masculine plural reçus, feminine plural reçues)^[1] As a noun, reçu m (plural reçus).^[1] Old French receuz (about 1190) and, as a noun, resut (about 1315).^[2][3]

Etymology

It is the past participle from French recevoir, used as an adjective, and as a noun since 1611.^{[4][5][6][2][7]} The verb is a remaking, in the 13th century, of Old French receivre, from Latin recipiō (“to take back, receive”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The participle is first used as an adjective about 1190 by Garnier de Pont-Sainte-Maxence, written receuz, of a martyr's blood gathered up.^[3][2]

Semantic evolution

Besides the uses that follow the verb, the adjective came to mean “admitted, recognized by everyone” (1655, Pascal), and in the mid-20th century linguists used it for a word counted as part of the standard of educated French.^[2][3] In the classical period it was said of a person of great credit, whose authority went unquestioned (1679, Bossuet).^[2][3]

As a noun the word first meant “welcome” (about 1315, resut).^[2][5] It was taken up again in 1611 for a written acknowledgement that one has received money or an object, an administrative use that passed into everyday language.^[2][4][6] A reçu is also a candidate who has passed an examination.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 1190 – Garnier de Pont-Sainte-Maxence uses receuz as an adjective.^[3][2]
• c. 1315 – The noun resut means “welcome”.^[2][5]
• 1611 – The noun reçu “receipt” is recorded.^[4][5][6][2]
• 1655 – Pascal uses the adjective for what is generally accepted.^[3][2]
• 1679 – Bossuet uses it of a person of recognized authority.^[3][2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A receipt: a signed paper in which someone acknowledges having received a sum of money or an object.^[6][7][8]
2. A candidate who has passed an examination: la liste des reçus.^[8]

Adjective

1. Received, admitted (the past participle of recevoir).^[8][7]
2. Generally accepted, established: idée reçue, a commonplace or received idea.^[8][3][7]
3. (classical) Of a person: highly regarded, of unquestioned authority.^[3]

Related words

• recevoir
• recette
• récépissé

Usage notes

In reçu cent francs at the head of a receipt, reçu stays invariable.^[7]

References

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