victorieux

Forms

victorieux (feminine victorieuse, masculine plural victorieux, feminine plural victorieuses)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Late Latin victōriōsus (“victorious”), from victōria (“victory”).^[2][3][4][1] Littré compares Old Occitan victorios, Spanish victorioso and Italian vittorioso, and notes that, according to Palsgrave, its ⟨c⟩ was not pronounced in the 16th century.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Brunetto Latini's Trésor (about 1265), of Alexander who was victorious over all peoples; it is applied first to a battle that brings victory (victorieuses batailles).^[2][3][5][6]

Semantic evolution

In the 14th century it was applied to the one who has won a victory (Bersuire), whence arc victorieux “triumphal arch” (1352–1356) and the noun un victorieux (1380–1388), both now out of use.^[3][6] By extension it qualified a person who wins in any struggle or contest (15th century, victorieux de 1679, Bossuet) and what expresses success (1563, Ronsard); argument victorieux “decisive argument” (1798) is now dated.^[3][2] Équipe victorieuse in sport is recorded in 1964.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 1265 – Brunetto Latini uses it in the Trésor.^[2][3]
• 1352–1356 – Arc victorieux “triumphal arch”.^[3]
• late 14th century – Froissart uses les vittoriieus as a noun.^[2]
• 1433–1469 – Jean Régnier uses it of success in a struggle.^[2]
• 1563 – Ronsard uses it of what expresses success.^[2][3]
• 1679 – Bossuet uses victorieux de.^[6][3]
• 1964 – Équipe victorieuse in sport.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Having won a victory in battle or war, vainqueur: le général victorieux rentra dans la capitale.^[7][2][6]
2. Having won in a struggle or competition, having prevailed over someone: elle est sortie victorieuse du débat.^[7][2]
3. Expressing success, triomphant: un air victorieux.^[7][2]

Related words

• victoire
• vaincre
• Latin victōria

References

1. ^ a b c 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 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 Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
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 c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert