styliste

Forms

styliste m or f by sense (plural stylistes)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French style + -iste.^[2][3][4][1] Its base, the noun for “manner of expression”, is from Latin stilus (“stylus, pointed writing instrument”), also spelled stylus through a false association with Ancient Greek στῦλος (stûlos, “column”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1836 in Barbey d'Aurevilly's Memoranda, for a writer who pays particular attention to style.^[2][6]

Semantic evolution

The literary sense came first: a writer noted for the care given to the form of the text,^[2][6] and, pejoratively, one who cares more for form than for substance.^[2][7] Other early records are Sainte-Beuve's (1840) and Bescherelle's (1845).^[8][9]

As style was applied to sport, styliste was used from 1909 for an athlete who seeks beauty in his movements.^[6] In 1960 it named a specialist in industrial design,^[2][6] a sense now shared with the anglicism designer.^[4] From the middle of the 20th century it has been a fashion term (1966 in the TLFi) for the person who designs new models and adapts a clothing style to a market;^[2][6][4] the profession is stylisme.^[6]

Timeline

• 1836 – Barbey d'Aurevilly uses it of a writer with a strong concern for style.^[2]
• 1840 – Sainte-Beuve uses it in the same sense.^[8]
• 1845 – Bescherelle records it.^[9][5]
• 1909 – Used of an athlete who seeks elegant movement.^[6]
• 1960 – First used for a specialist in industrial design, in L'Automobile.^[2]
• 1966 – Le Monde uses the feminine in fashion.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. A writer distinguished by a carefully worked style.^[2][4][7]
2. (pejorative) A writer who cares more for form than for content.^[2][7]
3. A specialist in industrial design, a designer.^[4][2][1]
4. (fashion) A person who creates new models and plans a collection in the textile and clothing trades, a fashion designer: une styliste de prêt-à-porter.^[4][1]

Related words

• stylisme
• style
• styliser
• stylistique

References

1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f 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 c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
8. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
9. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF