technicien

Forms

technicien m (plural techniciens, feminine technicienne)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French technique + -ien,^[2][3] on the model of physicien beside physique².^[3][4][5][6] Technique (1684) is from Ancient Greek τεχνικός (tekhnikós), from τέχνη (tékhnē, “art”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Académie's supplement of 1836 first records it as a noun for an author who wrote on the rules of the arts.^[2][7][6]

Semantic evolution

The modern sense “person who knows and practises the technique of a science” appears at the beginning of the 20th century (Barrès, 1907).^[2][7][4] From 1923 (Larousse) it more often names a skilled worker who masters a technique, as distinct from an ingénieur.^[7][6] The adjective, “relating to technique, giving it priority”, is more recent (about 1930).^[7][2] Technicien de surface names a cleaner of offices and public places.^[5][8]

Timeline

• 1684 – First record of the adjective technique.^[3]
• 1836 – The Académie's supplement records technicien “writer on the rules of the arts”.^[2][3][6]
• 1907 – Barrès uses it in the modern sense of a specialist in a technique.^[2]
• 1923 – Larousse records the sense “skilled technical worker”.^[7][6]
• 1933 – Malègue uses it as an adjective.^[2]
• 1965 – Officier technicien is used in the armed forces.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. A person who knows or practises a particular technique; a specialist, a professional.^[5][8][2]
2. A person who knows and handles the practical applications of a science, as opposed to a theorist.^[5][8][6]
3. A qualified technician working under the direct orders of an engineer.^[8][6]
4. Technicien de surface: a cleaner of offices and public places.^[5][8]
5. (military) Officier technicien: an officer belonging to a corps of specialists.^[5]

Adjective

1. Giving priority to technique, centred on it: une société technicienne.^[8][6][2]

Related words

• technique
• technicité
• physicien
• Ancient Greek τεχνικός (tekhnikós)

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d e f g Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d e f Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)