simplification

Forms

simplification f (plural simplifications)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French simplifier + -ation, on the model of the learned words ending in -fication.^[2][3] The verb (1406) is from Medieval Latin simplificō (“to simplify”), made from simplex (“simple”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first record, in 1470 in the Livre de la discipline d'amour divine, is the mystical phrase spirituelle simplification.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The word was rare before the 19th century.^[2][4] Bossuet still uses it in 1697 as a term of mysticism, and the wider sense, the action of making something simpler, dates from 1798.^[3] In mathematics it is the reduction of a fraction to its lowest terms, a sense the GLLF dates from a 1962 Larousse.^[5][6] English simplification (1680s) is from French or formed in English from simplify.^[7]

Timeline

• 1406 – The verb simplifier is first recorded.^[3]
• 1470 – Spirituelle simplification in the Livre de la discipline d'amour divine.^[2]
• 1680s – English simplification is recorded.^[7]
• 1697 – Bossuet uses it as a term of mysticism.^[3]
• 1798 – The general sense “making simpler” is recorded.^[3]
• 1803 – The derivative simplificateur appears.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The action of making something simpler, or its result; réduction, schématisation: la simplification des formulaires.^[6][8][9]
2. (mathematics) The reduction of a fraction by dividing both its terms by the same number.^[6][2]
3. (law) Loi de simplification: a law meant to make the law clearer and lighten administrative procedures.^[9]

Related words

• simplifier
• simple
• simplicité
• simplificateur
• simpliste

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)