rhétoricien

Forms

rhétoricien m (plural rhétoriciens, feminine rhétoricienne)^[1] Middle French rettoricien (about 1370), then rhétoricien from the end of the 14th century.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is formed from French rhétorique + -ien.^[4][1][3] The TLFi compares an earlier Old French retoriien, found in the Roman de Renart (1175–80).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Nicole Oresme's translation of Aristotle's Ethics (1370–72) has rettoricien for one who knows and practises the art of rhetoric.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

In Middle and classical French the word also meant one skilled in literary composition, especially poetry (14th century), and an author of treatises on rhetoric (early 16th century).^[3] A feminine is recorded before 1545.^[4] In the schools it named the teacher of rhetoric (1671) and then the pupil in the rhetoric class (1680, Richelet);^[4][2] the feminine for such a pupil is recorded in 1842.^[4] As an adjective, “relating to rhetoric”, it dates from the end of the 14th century.^[4][2] Today it chiefly means a specialist in rhetoric, often with the scornful sense of rhéteur.^[3][4]

Timeline

• 1175–80 – Old French rectorïens in the Roman de Renart.^[4]
• 1370–72 – Rettoricien in Nicole Oresme.^[4][2]
• Late 14th century – The spelling rhétoricien and the adjective appear.^[2][4]
• 1671 – Pomey uses it for a teacher of rhetoric.^[4]
• 1680 – Richelet records it for a pupil of the rhetoric class.^[4][2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A person versed in rhétorique, or one who uses its devices.^[4][5]
2. (pejorative) A mere rhetorician, a speechifier; compare rhéteur.^[4][5]
3. (dated, still Belgium) A pupil in the final year of secondary school.^[1][4]

Adjective

1. Relating to rhetoric: une éloquence rhétoricienne.^[4][5]

Related words

• rhétorique
• rhéteur

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
3. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q 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
5. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert