ressemblance

Forms

ressemblance f (plural ressemblances)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French ressembler + -ance, from the present participle of the verb.^[2][1][3] Littré derives it from the adjective ressemblant.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The TLFi's first record, about 1285, already has the sense “set of features shared by two things”.^[2] The Grand Robert and the DHLF note an isolated earlier record about 1265, and the DHLF a second about 1380.^[3][5]

Semantic evolution

The word became common only in the 16th century, especially of people.^[5] It then also meant a portrait or image (1520, still in Molière's Amphitryon in 1668), first in ressemblance faite sur le vif (1538), and later a figure in a dream (late 16th century) and an appearance (1638); these uses have died out.^[2][5] In painting and the other arts of representation it has meant the likeness of a picture to its model since 1676;^[5] Furetière records attraper la ressemblance “to catch a likeness” in 1690.^[2][6] It was also used in geometry for “similarity” (1690).^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1285 – The sense “features shared by two things” is recorded.^[2]
• 1520 – It means “image, representation”.^[2]
• 1538 – Ressemblance faite sur le vif “a portrait from life”.^[5]
• 1676 – It is used of a picture's likeness to its model.^[5][6]
• 1690 – Furetière records attraper la ressemblance.^[2][6]

Meanings

Noun

1. Resemblance, likeness between people or things that share features: une ressemblance frappante.^[7][2]
2. The likeness of a portrait or other representation to its model.^[7][4]
3. (dated or literary) An appearance, an image.^[7]

Related words

• ressemblant
• semblable
• dissemblance

References

1. ^ a b c 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 Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
5. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert