solidifier

Forms

solidifier^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French solide + -ifier.^[2][3][1] The Petit Robert adds that it was formed after solidification,^[4] which Bloch and Wartburg date to 1572, rare before the 19th century.^[5] The adjective was borrowed from Latin solidus (“massive, firm”).^[5][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first appears in Buffon's mineralogy (1783–1788), as the past participle solidifié “made solid” and as the reflexive se solidifier “to become solid”.^[2][7][3]

Semantic evolution

The active verb, “to make solid”, is recorded by Boiste in 1803.^[2][7] A figurative use, “to make firm”, followed: the TLFi has it from Lamartine in 1835,^[2] and Balzac used se solidifier of things taking on firmness or hardness (1846).^[2][8] Rey notes that solidification, an older word, is now felt as a derivative of the verb, especially in its figurative uses.^[7]

Timeline

• 1783–1788 – Buffon uses solidifié and se solidifier.^[2][3]
• 1803 – Boiste records the infinitive.^[2][8]
• 1835 – Lamartine uses it figuratively.^[2]
• 1846 – Balzac uses se solidifier for “to grow firm”.^[2][8]

Meanings

Verb

1. To make solid, to bring a substance into the solid state, as by freezing.^[2][4][8]
2. (reflexive) Se solidifier: to become solid, to harden: le métal en fusion se solidifie en refroidissant.^[4][2][6]
3. (figurative) To make or become firm, consolidate.^[2][8]

Word family

• solidification

Related words

• solide
• solidité
• liquéfier
• Latin solidus

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d e Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse