Etymologically
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voleur

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /vɔ.lœʁ/[1]

Forms

voleur m (plural voleurs, feminine voleuse)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French voler + -eur,[1][2][3] from the verb in the sense “to steal”, which developed (1549) in the language of falconry, from phrases such as “ce faucon vole la perdrix”, “this falcon flies at (catches) the partridge”.[4] The verb continues Latin volō (“to fly”).[4]

The Grand Robert, the Petit Robert and the GLLF think that the older volleur (“hunter with hawks”) (Coquillart, about 1480) was used metaphorically in the criminals' jargon for ruffians.[2][3][5][6] Étienne Pasquier, in the 16th century, explained it by an ordinance of Francis I against men who pretended to fly their hawks while lying in wait for merchants on the roads, adding si cela n'est vray, il est bien trouvé.[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

A Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris says that in 1516 plusieurs maulvais garçons appelez voleurs were roaming France, looting and killing;[6][8][2] Rey notes that this jargon use is earlier than the regular use of voler “to steal”.[8]

Semantic evolution

In 1526 a certain Nicolas, volleur, was burned in Paris, and, from the mid-16th century (Du Fail, 1547, Robert Estienne, 1549) the word belonged to the general language for a person who takes another's property.[6][8] By extension it was said of anyone who causes another financial loss (1594), and figuratively of a plagiarist (1620).[8]

Au voleur ! “stop thief!” is recorded in 1585 (Du Fail), voleur de grands chemins “highwayman” in 1648, and comme un voleur “stealthily” with verbs such as partir or filer.[6][8][9] Bossuet echoes Revelation 3:3 in Je viens, dit Jésus-Christ, comme un voleur.[6] The adjective is found about 1585.[8] In falconry Furetière (1690) calls a bird that flies well bon voleur or beau voleur.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 1480 – Volleur “hunter with hawks”, in Coquillart.[6]
  • 1516 – Voleurs, ruffians, in jargon.[6]
  • 1547 – General use, in Noël du Fail.[6]
  • 1549 – Voler “to steal” (Robert Estienne).[4]
  • 1585 – Au voleur !; the adjective.[6][8]
  • 1620 – “Plagiarist”.[8]
  • 1648 – Voleur de grands chemins.[8]
  • 1651 – Volereau “petty thief”.[6]
  • 1690 – Bon voleur in falconry.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A thief, robber: au voleur !, stop thief!, voleur de grand chemin, a highwayman, voleur à la tire, a pickpocket.[3][1]
  2. A person who cheats others or takes more than is due.[8]
  3. Comme un voleur: stealthily, without being noticed.[8]
  4. (falconry) A bird judged by its flight: bon voleur.[6][5]

Adjective

  1. Thieving, thievish.[1][8]

Word family

  • volereau

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  3. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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
  7. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  9. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF