redistribution

Forms

redistribution f (plural redistributions)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French redistribuer + -ion, on the model of distribution.^[2][3][1] The verb redistribuer is recorded in the same year.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Furetière records it in 1690, for the act of distributing again.^[2][3][4]

Semantic evolution

Littré defined it as a second, new distribution.^[5] In the 20th century it took a technical sense in economics: the operations by which part of the income of some groups is taken and paid out to others.^[2][6] The agent noun redistributeur followed in 1946.^[4]

Timeline

• 1690 – Furetière records redistribution and redistribuer.^[2][4]
• 1946 – Redistributeur appears, in Morazé.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. The act of redistributing, a new distribution or sharing out; the result of this.^[2][6][7]
2. (economics) The redistribution of income: the system by which levies on some people's incomes are paid out to others.^[6][7][2]

Related words

• redistribuer
• distribution
• redistributeur

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. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique 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-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)