utilisation

Forms

utilisation f (plural utilisations)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French utiliser + -ation.^[2][3][4][1] The verb, recorded from 1792, is formed on utile with the suffix -iser,^[2][5] and the adjective is from Latin ūtilis (“useful”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1796, in the supplement to F. Roux's French–German dictionary, as the action of making use of something.^[2][6][3]

Semantic evolution

The verb utiliser was new at the end of the 18th century: in 1792 Necker counted it among the barbarous verbs that were replacing nouns, and it was still censured in 1802.^[2] The noun was recorded again in 1798 and 1812,^[5][7] and has kept its single sense, the action or manner of using something.^[2][4] English utilization (1847) is compared with the French word by Etymonline.^[8] The 20th century formed sous-utilisation (1947) and réutilisation (1961).^[9]

Timeline

• 1792 – Necker notes the new verb utiliser.^[2]
• 1796 – Utilisation appears in the supplement to Roux's dictionary.^[2][6]
• 1798 – Recorded again.^[5][7]
• 1947 – Sous-utilisation appears.^[9]
• 1961 – Réutilisation appears.^[9]

Meanings

Noun

1. The action or manner of using something; emploi, use.^[4][2][6] L'utilisation des énergies renouvelables. Notice d'utilisation: a set of instructions for a device.^[4][2][6]

Word family

• sous-utilisation
• réutilisation

Related words

• utiliser
• utile
• utilisable
• utilisateur
• English utilization

References

1. ^ a b c 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 Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF
8. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert