vocaliste

Forms

vocaliste m or f by sense (plural vocalistes)^[1]

Etymology

It is probably borrowed from English vocalist (“singer”), recorded in English from 1834.^[2] Wiktionary allows either the English word or a formation from French vocaliser + -iste,^[1] and the Grand Robert refers it to Latin vōcālis.^[3] It replaced vocalisateur, recorded in 1836.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Complément of the Académie's dictionary (1842) defines it as one who vocalizes with grace and lightness, noting that vocalisateur and vocalisatrice are also used.^[2]

Semantic evolution

In 19th-century music it meant a singer skilled in vocalises, runs sung on a vowel;^[2][4] Berlioz used it in 1862.^[2][4] Littré still treats it as a synonym of vocalisateur.^[5] In modern use it chiefly names a singer of jazz.^[2]

Timeline

• 1836 – Vocalisateur is recorded.^[4]
• 1842 – The Académie's Complément records vocaliste.^[2][3]
• 1862 – Berlioz writes of German vocalists in À travers chants.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. (music) A singer who performs vocalises and ornate runs.^[2][5]
2. A jazz singer.^[2]

Related words

• vocaliser
• vocalisateur
• vocal
• English vocalist

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, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette