scénique

Forms

scénique (plural scéniques)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin scaenicus (“of the stage, theatrical”), also spelled scēnicus, which is from Ancient Greek σκηνικός (skēnikós, “theatrical”), from σκηνή (skēnḗ, “stage”).^{[2][3][4][1][5]} Littré connects it with scène, and by surface analysis it is that noun with the suffix -ique.^[6][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in jeux scéniques “dramatic performances in Antiquity”, in Raoul de Presles's translation of Augustine's City of God (about 1375; the TLFi cites the printed edition of 1531).^[5][4][2]

Semantic evolution

Introduced as a term of history in jeux scéniques, the adjective took the general sense “relating to the stage, to the theatre” in the 16th century, following the uses of scène, but it remained rare until the 18th century.^[5][3][7] It entered art scénique “stage direction” in 1840.^[2][7] From 1868 it was also said of what suits the stage well.^[4][5] In 1825 Madame de Genlis used it for a quarrelsome person who makes scenes.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 1375 – Jeux scéniques appears in Raoul de Presles's City of God.^[5][4]
• c. 1579 – The general sense “relating to the stage” appears.^[5]
• 1825 – Madame de Genlis uses it for “quarrelsome”.^[8]
• 1840 – Art scénique is recorded.^[2][7]
• 1868 – The sense “suited to the stage” appears.^[4][5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Relating to the stage or the theatre: un éclairage scénique.^[2][7][6]
2. Jeux scéniques: the public shows of Antiquity, or theatrical performances held outside ordinary theatres, often in the open air.^[2][4]
3. Art scénique: the art of staging a play.^[7]
4. Well suited to the stage: une intrigue très scénique.^[7][4]

Word family

• scéniquement

Related words

• scène
• scénographie
• Latin scaenicus

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c d e f 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, p. 34