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rejoindre

Etymology and origin of the French word rejoindre

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 1050, Vie de saint Alexis
Ultimate origin
Latin (iungō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin iungo
French joindre
French rejoindre

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ʁə.ʒwɛ̃dʁ/[1]

Forms

rejoindre[1]

Etymology

It is from French re- + joindre.[2][3][4][1][5] joindre is from Latin iungō (“to join, yoke”).[6][7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Vie de saint Alexis (about 1050) uses it intransitively for reaching the end of a journey, Chrétien de Troyes (about 1175) has it transitively, to join again what was separated.[8][3]

Semantic evolution

In the 13th century it meant to knit together again (a Lancelot, reflexive), to put back together, to clasp (the hands, Adenet le Roi, about 1274), and in surgery to bring the edges of a wound together (Mondeville).[2][7] Soi rejoindre vers “to go and meet (someone)” is found about 1280, and transitive “to go and join (someone)” in Ronsard (1552).[2] From 1690 it meant to get back to a post or place, and in military use absolutely to rejoin one's unit (1789).[2][8] Of roads and rivers it means to meet, join (1797).[2] Figuratively rejoindre is to come close to, agree with (an opinion).[4][8]

Timeline

  • c. 1050 – “To arrive”, Vie de saint Alexis.[8]
  • c. 1175 – “To join again”, Chrétien de Troyes.[8]
  • c. 1280 – “To go and meet”.[2]
  • 1552 – Transitive “to join (someone)”, Ronsard.[2]
  • 1690 – “To get back to (a post)”, Furetière.[2]
  • 1797 – Of a coastline, “to meet”.[2]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To join, meet up with: je vous rejoins dans une heure, rejoindre sa famille.[4][1]
  2. To get back to, regain: rejoindre son poste, rejoindre l'autoroute.[4][9]
  3. To catch up with: rejoindre le peloton.[8]
  4. Of a road or river, to meet, join: la rue rejoint le boulevard.[4][9]
  5. To agree with, come close to: je vous rejoins sur ce point.[4]
  6. (dated) To put back together, reunite: rejoindre les lèvres d'une plaie.[2][4]
  7. Se rejoindre: to meet: rejoignons-nous à la gare.[4][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 5, 70a
  6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  7. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  9. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Rejoindre.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/rejoindre. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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