grade French · revision 15854

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1578, Henri Estienne|origins=la gradior}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɡʁad/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''grade''' ''m'' (plural grades)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is borrowed from [[it|grado]] or [[la|gradus|t=step; rank]],^(DHLF 1992)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(FEW|4, 206a) a derivative of [[m|la|gradior|t=to walk, step]].^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989) Rey explains that “gradus” meant a pace, then a step on a ladder or stair, hence “degree” and “rank”.^(DHLF 1992) Littré compared [[de|schreiten|t=to stride]].^(Littré 1873) It is a doublet of [[gradus]], and the inherited counterpart is [[degré]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Henri Estienne uses it in 1578 in the sense “degree of dignity or honour”.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ This classical sense, found in Corneille, is now obsolete, as is “step of a stair” (1611).^(DHLF 1992)^(Grand Robert 2005) The word was specialised for a degree in a hierarchy (1690),^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) a university degree (1718) and a military rank (1798);^(TLFi) hence ''monter en grade'' and the familiar ''en prendre pour son grade'' “to get a dressing-down”, noted in 1908 and used by Proust in 1913.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Rostand's ''les sans-grades'' in ''L'Aiglon'' gave ''sans-grade'' “person of humble rank”.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ In geometry the ''grade'' (1803) is the hundredth part of a right angle, the source of ''centigrade'' (1811).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) The derivative ''gradé'' “holding (a low) rank” dates from 1796.^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1578 – “Degree of dignity” in Henri Estienne.^(TLFi)

+ * 1690 – A degree in a hierarchy, in Furetière.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1718 – A university degree.^(TLFi)

+ * 1796 – ''Gradé''.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1798 – A military rank.^(TLFi)

+ * 1803 – A unit of angle, in Boiste.^(TLFi)

+ * 1908 – ''En prendre pour son grade''.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|rank]] or grade in a hierarchy, especially a military one: ''le grade de capitaine'', ''monter en grade''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(TLFi)

+ # A university degree.^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873)

+ # ''(familiar)'' ''En prendre pour son grade'': to get a dressing-down.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Le Robert)

+ # ''(geometry)'' A [[m|en|gradian]], the hundredth part of a right angle.^(Le Robert)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(obsolete)'' A degree of dignity or honour.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gradé]]

+ * [[centigrade]]

+ * [[dégrader]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gradation]]

+ * [[degré]]

+ * [[gradin]]

+ * [[graduer]]

+ * [[la|gradus]]

+ * [[en|grade]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A second ''grade'' (1960), borrowed from [[en|grade]], is used with a number for the SAE viscosity grade of an engine oil.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}