socialisme

Forms

socialisme m (usually uncountable, plural socialismes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French social + -isme.^[2][3][1] The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert add the influence of English socialism (Owen, 1822) and Italian socialismo (1803),^[4][5] where the Italian word named the theory of a benevolent, enlightened conservatism.^[2] Social is from Latin sociālis (“fit for living in society”), from socius (“companion”).^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found on 23 November 1831 in Le Semeur, for a doctrine that sacrifices the individual to society, contrasted with individualism.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

The word spread from 1833, when Pierre Leroux defined it for the socialist doctrine and opposed it to liberalism.^[7][4] In Marxist vocabulary it is the phase of social development that comes before communism.^[7][1] From the late 19th century it also names the socialists collectively in France, and today the non-Communist parties of the left.^[7] The phrase socialisme d'État is recorded from 1890.^[2] English socialism (1837) came from the French word or was formed in English.^[8]

Timeline

• 1803 – Italian socialismo is recorded.^[2][7]
• 1822 – English socialism is used of Owen's doctrine.^[4][7]
• 1831 – Le Semeur has the first French record.^[2]
• 1833 – Pierre Leroux defines and spreads the word.^[4][7]
• 1890 – Socialisme d'État is recorded.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. Socialism: doctrines that aim to reform society so that the common good prevails over private interests, especially through collective ownership of the means of production: socialisme démocratique, socialisme d'État.^[5][3]
2. (Marxism) The stage between the end of capitalism and communism.^[1][7]
3. The socialists and socialist parties collectively, in France the non-Communist left.^[7]

Related words

• socialiste
• social
• société
• communisme

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
4. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com