Etymology and origin of the French word théisme
théisme1 belief in a god
Etymology tree of théisme1
From the same root · théisme1
Pronunciation
Forms
théisme m (plural théismes)[1]
Etymology
The word for the belief in a god is borrowed from English theism, which was formed on Ancient Greek θεός (theós, “god”) with the suffix -ism.[2][3][4] The English word is recorded from the 1670s,[5] and the TLFi dates it to 1678 after the OED.[2] Bloch and Wartburg likewise derive it from the Greek, probably through English, and note that déisme already existed.[6]
Earliest recorded meaning
It first appears in 1745, in a note to Diderot's French version of Shaftesbury's essay on merit and virtue.[2][3]
Semantic evolution
Voltaire used it in 1756, the date Bloch and Wartburg and the Robert give.[6][4][7] The person who holds the belief, théiste, is an adaptation of the English word theist and was recorded earlier, in 1705.[3][6]
In philosophy it names the doctrine of a single, personal God as the transcendent cause of the world.[2][8] A 1974 encyclopedia quoted by the TLFi sets it apart from déisme: deism is a belief in God left deliberately vague, while theism holds that reason can prove God's existence and know His creative nature.[2] Outside technical use the two words are treated as synonyms.[3]
Timeline
- 1670s – The English word theism is recorded.[5]
- 1705 – Théiste is adapted from English theist.[3][6]
- 1745 – Théisme appears in Diderot's version of Shaftesbury.[2][3]
- 1756 – Voltaire uses the word.[6][4][9]
Meanings
Noun
théisme2 tea poisoning
- Confidence
- Established
- Formation
- Derivation
- First attested
- 1871
- Ultimate origins
- Dutch theeFrench -isme
Pronunciation
Forms
théisme m (plural théismes)[1]
Etymology
The word for the illness caused by tea is formed from French thé + -isme.[4][7][1]
Earliest recorded meaning
The Grand Robert dates it to 1871;[4] the GLLF's first record is in the Larousse of 1904, for the disorders caused by drinking too much tea.[9]
Semantic evolution
English formed the same word, theism “a morbid condition brought on by too much tea”, recorded from 1886.[5]
Timeline
- 1871 – First record of théisme in this sense.[4][7]
- 1886 – The English theism “tea poisoning” is recorded.[5]
- 1904 – The Larousse records the word.[9]
Meanings
Noun
Related words
Usage notes
The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert number the two words théisme 1 and 2.[4][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ 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
- ^ a b c d e f Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
- ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
- ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c d e Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
- ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
- ^ a b Académie française (1992–2024), Dictionnaire de l'Académie française, 9th ed., Paris: Académie française / Fayard / Imprimerie nationale
- ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
- ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
Related etymologies
Cite this entry
“Théisme.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/th%C3%A9isme. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.
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