dégager French · revision 16594

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1174–76, Guernes de Pont-Sainte-Maxence (desguagier)|origins=frk *waddi}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /de.ɡa.ʒe/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dégager'''^(Wiktionary)

+ Old French ''desguagier'', ''desgagier''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|fr|dé-|gage]] with the verb ending “-er”.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Wiktionary)^(FEW|17, 443b) The noun [[gage]] “pledge” is from [[frk|*waddi]], compare [[got|𐍅𐌰𐌳𐌹|tr=wadi|t=pledge]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Guernes de Pont-Sainte-Maxence (1174–76) says that Becket could not redeem his pledges, ''nes fist desguagier'': to take back what was pawned.^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal sense is now dated or technical, but it explains the figurative ones: to release, set free (Conon de Béthune, 1180–1220) and to get someone out of a difficult position (1585).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Freeing literally gave “to clear, uncover” (second half of the 13th century), and a garment that ''dégage'' the neck (Académie, 1718); ''dégagé'' “easy, relaxed” is in Molière (1669).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ In the 19th century chemistry used it for giving off a gas or smell (1821), and algebra for isolating an unknown (1835), whence ''dégager une idée'', ''une conclusion''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Football uses it for clearing the ball (1937), and vulgar French ''dégage !'' means “get out!”.^(BHVF)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1174–76 – ''Desguagier'' “to redeem a pledge”.^(TLFi)

+ * 1180–1220 – To release, Conon de Béthune.^(TLFi)

+ * second half of the 13th century – To clear, uncover.^(TLFi)

+ * 1585 – To extricate, Noël du Fail.^(TLFi)

+ * 1669 – ''Dégagé'' “at ease”, Molière.^(TLFi)

+ * 1821 – To give off (chemistry).^(TLFi)

+ * 1835 – ''Dégager l'inconnue''.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|free]], release, extricate: ''dégager un blessé'', ''dégager qqn d'une promesse''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To clear: ''dégager le passage'', ''dégager la table'', ''(football)'' to clear (the ball).^(Wiktionary)^(BHVF)

+ # To give off, emit: ''dégager une odeur'', ''dégager de la chaleur''.^(Wiktionary)^(TLFi)

+ # To bring out, draw (an idea, a conclusion).^(Wiktionary)^(TLFi)

+ # To redeem (a pledge); ''dégager sa responsabilité'', to disclaim responsibility; to release (funds).^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(vulgar, intransitive)'' To clear off: ''dégage !''.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''Se dégager'': to free oneself; to emerge, ''le ciel se dégage'', it is clearing up.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dégagement]]

+ * [[dégagé]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gage]]

+ * [[engager]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}