subir

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sy.biʁ/^[1]

Forms

subir^[1]

Etymology

It is a learned borrowing, borrowed from Latin subeō (“to go under; to come up; to take upon oneself, undergo”), first in its legal use for undergoing a penalty.^[2][3][4] The Latin verb is formed from sub- (“under”) and eō (“to go”), whose future gave the future of French aller.^[3][5] Compare Spanish subir (“to go up”), which kept another Latin sense.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1481 in subir jugement, to come under the jurisdiction of a court.^[2][3][6]

Semantic evolution

Taken up again in 1567, after souffrir and before supporter in this use, it meant to be subjected to an action or power one cannot escape; hence subir la question (1718) and subir une épreuve (1835).^[3][6][7] By extension it meant to submit willingly to something trying, as in subir un examen (1690) or subir un interrogatoire (1657).^[3][2]

In the 19th century it was used of feelings and impressions (1818, Nodier, subir le charme, 1833) and of putting up with a person (1840, Scribe).^[2][3] With a thing as subject it means to undergo a change, from Buffon (1772).^[2][3]

Timeline

• 1481 – Subir jugement, a legal phrase.^[2][4]
• 1567 – “To be subjected to (something painful)”.^[6][3]
• 1657 – Subir interrogatoire.^[2]
• 1690 – Subir un examen.^[3]
• 1772 – Buffon: of a thing undergoing changes.^[2][3]
• 1833 – Subir le charme d'une femme.^[2]
• 1840 – Scribe: to put up with a person.^[2][3]

Meanings

Verb

1. To be subjected to (an action, a power, a constraint one has not chosen); to suffer, endure: subir une défaite, subir les conséquences.^[7][1]
2. To undergo (an operation, a test, an examination).^[1][7]
3. To feel the effect of: subir le charme de quelqu'un.^[7][2]
4. To put up with (an unwelcome person).^[1][2]
5. Of a thing, to undergo (a change, a modification).^[2][5]
6. (absolute) To remain passive: il faut agir, et non subir.^[7]

Related words

• subit
• soudain
• Latin subeō

References

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