cajoler French · revision 15713

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=1551–1616, Jean Le Houx|origins=la cavea}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ka.ʒɔ.le/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''cajoler'''^(Wiktionary)

+ ''Cageoler'' (1579, until 1771), ''cajoler''^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992); Féraud (1768) notes that some write ''cageoler''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(TLFi) It is usually explained as an adaptation, under the influence of [[cage]], of [[frm|gayoler|t=to chatter like a caged bird]] (1525),^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Académie 9) derived from [[m|fro|gaiole|t=cage]], the Picard form of [[geôle]],^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) from [[la-lat|caveola]], a diminutive of [[la|cavea|t=cage]];^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(GLLF 1989)^(Wiktionary)^(FEW|2, 555a) its sense was influenced by [[enjôler]] “to lure into a cage with flattering song”.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Grand Robert 2005)

+

+ Other scholars separate “cajoler” “to chatter” from “cajoler” “to flatter”, deriving the first from the name “Jacques” given to the magpie in some dialects or from the root of [[cacarder]], and the second from a crossing of “enjôler” and [[caresser]]; the TLFi and Rey prefer the single explanation.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Littré, citing Walloon “crajolé” “variegated”, also mentions Grandgagnage's link with the root of [[joli]].^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Ambroise Paré (1579) writes that jays ''cageollent'', crying as birds do^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873); Jean Le Houx uses ''cajoler'' for singing a ''vau de vire'', a drinking song.^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “to cry like a jay or magpie” lasted until 1675 and was later kept as a term of falconry (1752).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Transferred to people, ''cajoler'' meant to flatter with honeyed words to get something (1585), and in the 17th century to pay court to a woman (1637, Corneille).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ From the end of the 16th century (1596) the verb is transitive, and its sense has slid from “to win over by flattery” to “to surround with tender attention”, without any idea of self-interest: one now ''cajole'' a child.^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) Sailors used it for working a ship against the wind with the help of a current.^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1525 – Middle French ''gayoler''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1579 – ''Cageoller'', of a jay (Paré).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1585 – “To flatter”^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992); ''cajolleuse''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1596 – Transitive use.^(TLFi)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+ * 1637 – “To exchange gallant talk” (Corneille).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1752 – A falconry term (Trévoux).^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|cuddle]], to treat someone with tender, loving attention: ''cajoler un enfant''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(dated)'' To [[m|en|flatter]], to [[m|en|cajole]].^(Wiktionary)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''(intransitive, dated)'' Of a jay or magpie, to chatter.^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cajolerie]]

+ * [[cajoleur]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[geôle]]

+ * [[cage]]

+ * [[enjôler]]

+ * [[en|cajole]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}