théologien

Forms

théologien m (plural théologiens, feminine théologienne)^[1] Old French theologiien (1280); the Middle French feminine theologienne is found before 1518.^[2]

Etymology

It is formed from French théologie + -ien.^[2][1][3] The base noun was taken from Ecclesiastical Latin theologia, from Ancient Greek θεολογία (theología).^[4]

The noun coexisted with théologue, borrowed from Medieval Latin theologus (first as théologe about 1350, and in its present form in 1480).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in 1280, as ly theologiien, in the Clef d'Amors, meaning one who studies theology.^[2][3] The Grand Robert and the GLLF date it later, to about 1370, in Nicole Oresme.^[6][7]

Semantic evolution

Littré quotes Oresme in the 14th century: le bon theologien et le bon juriste ne sont pas discordans (“the good theologian and the good jurist are not at odds”).^[8] In Middle French it was also an adjective (1380), a use later taken over by théologique.^[5] By extension it came to mean a student of theology, recorded by the Dictionnaire de Trévoux in 1743 and surely older.^[2][5]

Timeline

• 1280 – Theologiien in the Clef d'Amors.^[2]
• c. 1370 – Oresme uses theologien.^[7][8]
• 1380 – Used as an adjective.^[5]
• before 1518 – The feminine theologienne in Menot's sermons.^[2]
• 1743 – Trévoux records the sense “theology student”.^[2][7]

Meanings

Noun

1. A theologian, a specialist in theology.^[3][2]
2. A student of theology.^[2][7]

Related words

• théologie
• théologique
• théologue
• théologal

Usage notes

The feminine is théologienne.^[8][1] The TLFi records a rare adjectival use.^[2]

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 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-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette