choix French · revision 16589

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=back-formation|attested=1155, Wace, Brut (chois)|origins=got 𐌺𐌰𐌿𐍃𐌾𐌰𐌽}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ʃwa/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''choix''' ''m'' (invariable)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old French ''chois''.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a deverbal noun from [[choisir]].^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(FEW|16, 303a) “Choisir”, which in Old French meant above all “to perceive, make out”, comes according to Bloch and Wartburg from [[got|𐌺𐌰𐌿𐍃𐌾𐌰𐌽|tr=kausjan|t=to test, taste]], borrowed early, probably as a military term, Wiktionary instead gives [[frk|*keusan]], compare [[de|kiesen]] and [[en|choose]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(REW 1935)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Wace's ''Brut'' (1155) has ''prendre a chois'' “to take freely, at one's discretion”, and his ''Roman de Rou'' (1160–74) ''metre a chois'' “to leave someone free to choose”.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Cotgrave (1611) records the act of choosing and a range of things to choose from.^(TLFi) From the 17th century it also meant the best of a merchandise (Savary, 1675), and in general what has been chosen for its quality (Furetière, 1690), whence ''de choix'' “choice, select” (1834) and ''de premier choix'', and ''surchoix'' (1816).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) ''L'embarras du choix'' “too much to choose from” is a common phrase.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1155 – ''Prendre a chois'', Wace.^(TLFi)

+ * 1611 – The act of choosing; a selection, Cotgrave.^(TLFi)

+ * 1675 – The best of a merchandise, Savary.^(TLFi)

+ * 1816 – ''Surchoix''.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1834 – ''De choix'', Landais.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|choice]], decision: ''faire un choix'', ''arrêter son choix sur''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Choice, freedom to choose: ''avoir le choix'', ''ne pas avoir le choix'', ''au choix'', as you wish.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # A [[m|en|selection]], range: ''un grand choix de livres'', ''l'embarras du choix''.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''De choix'': choice, of high quality, ''de premier choix'', top-quality.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ # ''(sports)'' A draft pick.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[choisir]]

+ * [[en|choice]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}