entrepreneur French · revision 16128

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1253–89, Pierre de Fontaines}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɑ̃.tʁə.pʁə.nœʁ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''entrepreneur''' ''m'' (plural entrepreneurs, feminine entrepreneuse)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is derived from [[entreprendre]], from the stem of its present participle, with the agent suffix [[-eur]].^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873) An isolated [[m|fro|entreprendeeur]] is found in the 13th century, beside the forms [[m|fro|empreneeur]] (about 1283, Beaumanoir) and [[m|frm|emprendeur]] (late 14th century, Froissart) from the related verb [[m|fro|emprendre]];^(TLFi) the modern form appears in 1422.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pierre de Fontaines' ''Conseil'' (1253–89) has ''entreprendeeurs''; in 1422 Alain Chartier's ''Quadrilogue invectif'' speaks of ''vaillans entrepreneurs'', those who take part in a bold action.^(TLFi) At first the word meant someone who undertakes something.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 15th century it was said of the challengers who undertook a feat of arms, as in ''Jehan de Saintré'', and of conspirators, as in Commynes.^(Littré 1873) The sense of a person who undertakes to carry out a piece of work, especially building, is recorded by Cotgrave in 1611.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Cotgrave 1611) The modern sense of a person who runs a business appeared in the early 19th century under the influence of [[entreprise]], and in the 20th century the word took broader connotations than ''chef d'entreprise'', especially in liberal economics.^(DHLF 1992) The general sense “one who undertakes” has become dated.^(DHLF 1992)^(TLFi)

+

+ English had ''entreprenour'' in the late 15th century but did not keep it; [[en|entrepreneur]] was borrowed again in 1828, first for the manager of a theatrical production, and for a business manager from 1852.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1253–89 – ''Entreprendeeurs'' appears in Pierre de Fontaines.^(TLFi)

+ * c. 1283 – Beaumanoir uses the variant ''empreneeur''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1422 – The modern form appears in Alain Chartier.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1611 – Cotgrave records the sense “contractor for building or other work”.^(TLFi)^(Cotgrave 1611)

+ * 1828 – English borrows the word again.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1848 – The derivative ''sous-entrepreneur'' “subcontractor” is recorded.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(dated)'' A person who [[m|en|undertake|alt=undertakes]] something.^(TLFi)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # A [[m|en|contractor]], especially in building: a person or firm that carries out works under contract.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Larousse)

+ # A person who runs a business; a business founder, an [[m|en|entrepreneur]].^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Le Robert)

+ # ''(law)'' The party to a contract who undertakes to carry out the work for the client.^(Larousse)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[entrepreneuriat]]

+ * [[entrepreneurial]]

+ * [[sous-entrepreneur]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[entreprendre]]

+ * [[entreprise]]

+ * [[entreprenant]]

+ * [[en|entrepreneur]]

+ * [[en|enterprise]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}