prestige French · revision 15792

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1372, Denis Foulechat}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pʁɛs.tiʒ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prestige''' ''m'' (plural prestiges)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|praestīgium|t=trickery; illusion]],^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Wiktionary)^(FEW|9, 317a) a neuter singular formed from the more usual feminine plural [[m|la|praestīgiae|t=conjuring tricks, illusions]].^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(GLLF 1989) This comes by dissimilation from “*praestrigiae”, related to the phrase “praestringere oculos” “to dazzle the eyes”, from [[m|la|praestringō|t=to bind tight in front]], from [[m|la|prae-|t=before]] and [[m|la|stringō|t=to draw tight]], the source of [[étreindre]].^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) Littré proposed a link with Greek “stízein” “to prick”.^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Denis Foulechat's translation of John of Salisbury's ''Policraticus'' (1372) uses it for an illusion caused by spells;^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Bloch and Wartburg and the Grand Robert date it from 1518.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Mostly in the plural, as in Latin, ''prestiges'' were illusions worked by magic or the devil, and then by natural means (1688, La Bruyère).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Weakened like ''charme'' and ''enchantement'', the word came to mean the strong impression made by works of literature and art (about 1650): ''les prestiges du théâtre''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ These senses faded outside literary style, and also from about 1750 (Rousseau) ''prestige'' took its modern sense, the standing that commands admiration and respect.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) In the 20th century ''de prestige'' (''politique de prestige'') became a fashionable term of praise in advertising and then in general use.^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1372 – An illusion caused by spells.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1518 – Date given by Bloch and Wartburg.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005)

+ * c. 1650 – The impression made by works of literature.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1688 – An illusion by natural means (La Bruyère).^(TLFi)

+ * c. 1750 – Standing, prestige (Rousseau).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1962 – ''Politique de prestige''.^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|prestige|alt=Prestige]], the standing that commands admiration and respect: ''le prestige de l'uniforme''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Larousse)

+ # ''De prestige'': meant to impress: ''politique de prestige''.^(Larousse)^(DHLF 1992)

+ # ''(literary, dated)'' An illusion caused by magic; a seductive [[m|en|artifice]].^(Petit Robert 2007)^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[prestigieux]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prestidigitateur]]

+ * [[la|praestīgium]]

+ * [[en|prestige]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}