Etymologically
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sensation

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 21:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /sɑ̃.sa.sjɔ̃/[1]

Forms

sensation f (plural sensations)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin sēnsātiō (“understanding”) (Irenaeus),[2][3][4][5] formed on “sensum”, the supine of Latin sentiō (“to feel, perceive”) (see sentir and sens).[2][3][6] Bloch and Wartburg note that it was borrowed for a special meaning.[4] The spelling “sensation” replaced Oresme's “sensacion” (Pomey, 1671).[3][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Oresme's translation of Aristotle's Ethics (1370) has sensacion for the impression made by objects on the senses: la sensacion ou operacion est ou resgart de la chose sensible.[2][7]

Semantic evolution

The word seems to have been rare before Malebranche and Bossuet in the second half of the 17th century, when sensation and sentiment were almost synonyms.[3][8] The Académie (1718) has sensation agréable, douloureuse.[2] From 1754 it was a strong impression made on many people, in faire une sensation (1759–1762) and faire sensation (1761–1775), whence à sensation (Lautréamont, 1869) and the press à sensation.[2][3][6]

In everyday speech it is a psychological state with a strong physical component, distinct from sentiment by its immediacy (1784), while psychophysiology gave it a narrower sense in relation to perception (1842).[3] Sensationnel (1837, “sensational”, 1875) was formed after English sensational, and sensass dates from 1889.[3]

Timeline

  • 1370 – Sensacion in Oresme.[2]
  • 1671 – The spelling sensation.[6]
  • 1718 – Sensation agréable, douloureuse in the Académie.[2]
  • 1754 – “A strong impression on others”.[2]
  • 1761 – Faire sensation.[2]
  • 1869 – Écrivain à sensation in Lautréamont.[2]
  • 1875 – Sensationnel “sensational”.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A sensation, perception through the senses: sensation de froid, sensations auditives.[9][10]
  2. A feeling, impression: une sensation de bien-être, avoir la sensation que.[10][9]
  3. Faire sensation: to cause a stir, à sensation: sensational: la presse à sensation.[9][10]
  4. (plural) Thrills: aimer les sensations fortes.[9][11]

Word family

  • sensationnel
  • sensationnel
  • sensationnalisme

References

  1. ^ a b 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 g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 11, 460b
  6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  9. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  10. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  11. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)