Etymologically
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simple

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /sɛ̃pl/[1]

Forms

simple (plural simples)[1] Anglo-Norman also sinple, semple.[2]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin simplex (“formed of a single element; plain, artless; naive”), literally “folded once”.[3][4][5][6] Rey connects its first element with the Indo-European root Proto-Indo-European *sem- of unity, seen in ensemble and singulier, and the second with Proto-Indo-European *plek-, the root of plectō (compare plier and duplex).[4] The Grand Robert notes that its figurative senses appear earlier in French than its literal ones.[7]

Cognate with Old Occitan semple, Spanish simple and Italian semplice.[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the first record, a sermon of about 1125–50, a la simple gent (“for the simple people”), the poet preaches un simple sarmun, an uncomplicated sermon, for the unlearned rather than for clerks.[3]

Semantic evolution

Early senses applied to people: of humble rank, as opposed to the learned or to people with titles (simple chevalier, early 13th century); friendly and gentle (about 1150); modest (1155); and, from Chrétien de Troyes (about 1175), credulous and foolish, whence simple d'esprit (1860).[3][4] The opposite valuation, of a person who acts without guile or affectation, is also of the 12th century.[4]

Of things it meant not double (about 1200) and not compound, and entered learned vocabulary: nombre simple (1484), the corps simple of chemistry (1585), a feuille simple in botany (1694).[3][9] From simple médecine, a remedy with one ingredient, as opposed to a compound one, came the noun simples, medicinal plants (1546).[3][5] A tennis simple (singles) is recorded from 1894.[3][10]

Timeline

  • c. 1125–50 – Un simple sarmun.[3]
  • c. 1175 – “Credulous, foolish”, in Chrétien de Troyes' Perceval.[3]
  • c. 1200 – Opposed to double.[3]
  • 1462 – À simple tonsure, in Villon.[3]
  • 1546 – Simples, medicinal herbs.[3]
  • 1585 – Corps simple.[3]
  • 1606 – Futur simple, in a grammar published with Nicot's dictionary.[10]
  • 1860 – Simple d'esprit.[4]
  • 1894 – A singles match in tennis.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (of a person) straightforward, natural, without affectation; modest in manner.[11][12]
  2. Credulous, naive, easily taken in.[11][13]
  3. Made of one element, not double or compound: aller simple (one-way ticket), corps simple (chemical element), passé simple.[1][13]
  4. Easy, uncomplicated.[1][11]
  5. Plain, without ornament: une robe simple.[1][12]
  6. (before the noun) Mere, only: un simple soldat, une simple formalité.[1][11]

Noun

  1. Simple d'esprit: a person of limited intelligence.[13][4]
  2. (sports) A singles match.[3]
  3. Simples (plural): medicinal herbs.[3][5]

Word family

  • simplet
  • simplement
  • simplicité
  • simplifier
  • simplesse
  • simpliste
  • simplification

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ Anglo-Norman Dictionary (AND2), Aberystwyth University, anglo-norman.net (2nd ed., 2005–)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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
  4. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  6. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 11, 634b
  7. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  8. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  9. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  10. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
  11. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  12. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
  13. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)