trimestre

Forms

trimestre m (plural trimestres)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin trimestris (“of three months, lasting three months”), first used as an adjective.^[2][3][4] The Latin adjective is formed from tri- (“three”) and mēnsis (“month”);^[3][5][6] its neuter plural trimestria named seed crops that ripen three months after sowing.^[3] Bloch and Wartburg date the borrowing to 1562, the TLFi and the FEW to 1564.^[7][2][8] The older trémois “wheat sown in March”, from Latin trimēnsis, was used beside it.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1564 in Liébault's Maison rustique as an adjective describing wheat that grows in three months.^[2][3][6]

Semantic evolution

As an adjective it was extended to an office held for three months (1596) and to a company whose officers served in turns of three months (1765).^[2][3] Modern French uses it only as a noun, recorded by the Académie in 1718 for a period of three months, especially one of the four quarters of the year.^[2][3] Since 1832 (Balzac) it has also named a division of the school year.^[3] By metonymy it has meant since 1825 a sum paid or received every three months.^[2][3][9]

English trimester is recorded from 1821, from the French word.^[10]

Timeline

• 1564 – Liébault uses it of wheat that grows in three months.^[2][3]
• 1596 – Hulsius records it of an office lasting three months.^[2][6]
• 1718 – The Académie records the noun “period of three months”.^[2][3]
• 1765 – It is used of a company serving in three-month turns.^[3]
• 1821 – English trimester is recorded.^[10]
• 1825 – Dumas uses it for a sum paid every three months.^[2][9]
• 1831 – The adjective trimestriel is formed.^[3][7]
• 1832 – Balzac uses it for a division of the school year.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A period of three months, especially one of the four quarters of the year: le dernier trimestre de l'année.^[11][2][5]
2. (education) A term of the school year.^[11][1]
3. A sum paid or received every three months, such as a quarter's rent or pay.^[11][5][2]
4. (of pregnancy) A trimester.^[1]

Word family

• trimestriel
• trimestriellement

Related words

• quadrimestre
• semestre
• bimestre
• trémois
• mois
• Latin trimestris
• English trimester

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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 13/2, 275b
9. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
10. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
11. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert