reine-claude

Forms

reine-claude f (plural reines-claudes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French reine + Claude, as a shortening (1690) of prune de la reine Claude (“Queen Claude's plum”) (1628),^[2][3][4] named after Queen Claude (1499–1524), the wife of Francis I.^[5][6][7] In the 16th century new or excellent kinds of fruit were often named after a reigning queen or a duchess.^[5]

It is often pronounced and written reine-glaude, as in many dialects;^[8] Littré thought the queen's name itself was probably pronounced with /g/.^[9]

Earliest recorded meaning

Le Lectier's catalogue of 1628 has prune de la Reine Claude, a variety of plum.^[5][8]

Semantic evolution

Furetière (1690) records the short form Reine Claude under prune.^[5][6] The word names a round, sweet and fragrant plum, usually green or yellowish, and also the tree that bears it (prunier reine-claude).^[5][4] Littré called it the best of all plums for its taste and scent.^[9]

Timeline

• 1628 – Prune de la Reine Claude in Le Lectier.^[5][8]
• 1690 – Furetière records the short form Reine Claude.^[5][6]

Meanings

Noun

1. A greengage, a round green or yellowish prune with sweet, juicy, fragrant flesh: une tarte aux reines-claudes.^[4][5][1]
2. By extension, the plum tree that bears it.^[5]

Related words

• reine
• prune
• reinette

Usage notes

Littré and the Académie recommend the plural reines-claudes, but usage varies: Flaubert writes reines-Claude, Colette reine-claudes, and Zola leaves the word invariable.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 2, 751b
8. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
9. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette