remboursement

Forms

remboursement m (plural remboursements)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French rembourser + -ment.^[2][1][3][4] The verb rembourser, first “to put back into the purse” (1262), is formed with the prefix re- on embourser,^[2][5] itself from bourse “purse”,^[1] which Bloch and Wartburg trace to Late Latin bursa, from Ancient Greek βύρσα (búrsa, “hide, leather”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1432, in the journal of Jean de Clercq, in the sense of paying back money.^[2][4][3]

Semantic evolution

The noun followed the verb, which had lost its literal sense “to put back in one's purse” and come to mean “to pay back money owed” by the end of the 14th century.^[2][4] Littré quotes it from Amyot in the 16th century.^[6] It has remained a common word for the repayment of a debt, a loan or expenses.^[4][2]

In the postal and commercial phrase envoi contre remboursement (1911), goods are sent to be paid for on delivery.^[7][8] In 1981 the back-formed technical term rembours was proposed to replace the anglicism drawback in customs law.^[4]

Timeline

• 1262 – The verb rembourser is recorded, meaning “to put back into the purse”.^[2]
• 1432 – Remboursement is first recorded, in the journal of Jean de Clercq.^[2][4]
• 16th century – Amyot uses it in his translation of Plutarch's life of Nicias.^[6]
• 1911 – Envoi contre remboursement “cash on delivery” is recorded.^[7][8]
• 1981 – The customs term rembours is formed from the verb.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. Repayment, reimbursement: the act of paying back money borrowed or spent: le remboursement d'un prêt immobilier.^[7][2][1]
2. The sum to be paid back.^[7]
3. Contre remboursement: cash on delivery, paid for when the goods are handed over.^[7][9]

Related words

• rembourser
• remboursable
• rembours
• bourse
• débourser
• déboursement

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
9. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse