reproductif

Forms

reproductif (feminine reproductive, masculine plural reproductifs, feminine plural reproductives)^[1]

Etymology

It is a derivative from French reproduire, modelled on productif.^[2][3][4] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert derive it from the stem of reproduction.^[5][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in economics, in Mirabeau's finance reproductive (1760), meaning “that produces a new product”.^[2][3][7]

Semantic evolution

In 1769 Bonnet used force reproductive in biology, of the power to reproduce by generation.^[2][7] The economic use continued in consommation reproductive, consumption that yields a new product, recorded by Boiste in 1834,^[3] and gave the adverb reproductivement in Say in 1832.^[2] The TLFi labels the biological sense “capable of reproducing” as dated, reproducteur being the modern word,^[2] while the Petit Robert gives the general modern sense “of reproduction”, as in the reproductive phase of a life.^[6]

Timeline

• 1760 – Mirabeau writes of a finance reproductive.^[2][5][7]
• 1769 – Bonnet uses force reproductive in biology.^[2][7]
• 1832 – The derivatives reproductivement and reproductivité are recorded.^[2]
• 1834 – Boiste records consommation reproductive.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Relating to reproduction: la période reproductive d'un poisson.^[6][7]
2. (biology, dated) Able to reproduce or to reproduce itself.^[2][3]
3. (economics) That brings about a new product or recreates the conditions of something: consommation reproductive.^[3][2]

Word family

• reproductivement
• reproductivité

Related words

• reproduire
• reproduction
• reproducteur
• productif

References

1. ^ 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 c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert