reconstruire

Forms

reconstruire^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French re- + construire.^[2][3][4][5] The base verb is from Latin cōnstruō (“to pile together, build”), its form adapted after détruire.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded by Robert Estienne in 1549, meaning “to build again”.^[2][7][8]

Semantic evolution

The verb applies first to destroyed buildings.^[8] About 1790 it began to be used figuratively, of a fortune or an organization,^[8][7] and in the 19th century the sciences used it for reconstituting a reality that has disappeared.^[8] The Larousse of 1875 records its use with no object.^[7]

The action noun reconstruction (1728) became usual in the sciences in the sense of “reconstitution”, especially in historical linguistics.^[8][6]

Timeline

• 1549 – Robert Estienne records reconstruire “to rebuild”.^[2][7]
• 1611 – Cotgrave lists it.^[5]
• 1728 – The noun reconstruction is first recorded.^[6][8]
• 1791 – Mirabeau uses it figuratively.^[2]
• 1835 – Lamartine uses the noun reconstructeur.^[2]
• 1875 – The Larousse records its use without an object.^[7]

Meanings

Verb

1. To rebuild what was destroyed: reconstruire un pont.^[4][2]
2. (by extension) To restore, build up again: reconstruire sa vie.^[4][8]
3. (figurative) To reconstruct, reconstitute in thought something that has disappeared: reconstruire une langue disparue.^[4][8]

Word family

• reconstruction
• reconstructeur

Related words

• construire
• construction
• déconstruire
• Latin cōnstruō

References

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