console French · revision 15828

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=clipping|attested=1565}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kɔ̃.sɔl/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''console''' ''f'' (plural consoles)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a shortening of “consolateur” (1554), the name of the carved figures that support a cornice or serve as armrests in choir stalls,^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005) the figure being thought to “console” those standing, as with [[miséricorde]].^(DHLF 1992)^(TLFi) P. Guiraud took it instead directly from [[consoler]] “to relieve”, the console relieving the arm or the cornice, comparing Italian dialect “consolo” “funeral meal”;^(Grand Robert 2005)^(DHLF 1992) Rey also mentions the influence of [[consolider]].^(DHLF 1992) The Petit Robert derives it from “sole” “beam”, by popular etymology after “consoler” and “consolider”.^(Petit Robert 2007) Littré thought of a shortening of “consolider”.^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first recorded in 1565, as ''consolle'', as a term of architecture.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The architectural sense is a projecting bracket, often S-shaped, supporting a cornice or balcony;^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Larousse) Olivier de Serres uses it for stone brackets in a dovecote.^(Littré 1873) By metonymy it named a side table with curved legs set against a wall (Oudin, 1640), fashionable under Louis XV and Louis XVI.^(GLLF 1989)^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ By analogy of shape it was used of the curved top of a harp and of the keydesk of an organ,^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) and, from the mid-20th century of a control desk in computing and sound recording.^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) Today one of its commonest uses is ''console de jeux'', a games console.^(DHLF 1992)^(Wiktionary) [[en|console]] in these senses comes from French.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1554 – ''Consolateur'' “figure supporting a cornice”.^(TLFi)

+ * 1565 – ''Consolle'' in architecture.^(TLFi)

+ * 1640 – A side table, in Oudin.^(GLLF 1989)

+ * Mid-20th century – A control console.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(architecture)'' A [[m|en|bracket]] or [[m|en|corbel]], often S-shaped, supporting a cornice or balcony.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Larousse)

+ # A console table set against a wall.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Larousse)

+ # The keydesk of an organ; the top of a harp.^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # A control desk or terminal: ''console de mixage''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A games [[m|en|console]]: ''console de jeux''.^(DHLF 1992)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[consoler]]

+ * [[consolider]]

+ * [[en|console]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}