éclat French · revision 16878

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=back-formation|attested=c. 1165, Benoît de Sainte-Maure, Roman de Troie|origins=frk *slaitan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /e.kla/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''éclat''' ''m'' (plural éclats)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a deverbal noun [[der|fr|éclater]], Old French [[m|fro|esclat]].^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(GLLF 1989)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Wiktionary) The verb probably comes from [[frk|*slaitan|t=to split, break]], compare [[goh|sleizan|t=to tear]], while [[it|schiattare]] goes back to the corresponding Lombardic form.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(FEW|17, 142a) Bloch and Wartburg explain the kept ⟨s⟩ by the long period of bilingualism in Merovingian times, when the Germanic and the Romanized forms lived side by side.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) Wiktionary traces the Frankish verb to [[gem-pro|*slaitijaną]], a causative of [[m|gem-pro|*slītaną|t=to split]], and compares [[ang|slītan]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Benoît de Sainte-Maure's ''Roman de Troie'' (about 1165) uses ''esclat'' for a fragment of something broken or burst;^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873) Littré quotes ''les lances volent par esclas'' “the lances fly into splinters”.^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the second half of the 15th century it meant a violent, sudden noise, ''esclas de tonnoire'' “claps of thunder”, whence ''rire aux éclats'' and ''éclats de voix''.^(TLFi)^(Littré 1873)^(Petit Robert 2007) Thierry (1564) records it for the intensity of a bright light, and Corneille (1643) for the vividness of a colour.^(TLFi)

+

+ Figuratively it meant splendour, brilliance (1604, Montchrestien), a sudden, loud outburst (1616, d'Aubigné) and a scandal (1645, Corneille); ''coup d'éclat'' “a striking action” and ''faire un éclat'' “to make a scene” continue these senses.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1165 – ''Esclat'' “fragment”, in Benoît de Sainte-Maure.^(TLFi)

+ * 2nd half of the 15th century – ''Esclas de tonnoire'' “claps of thunder”.^(TLFi)

+ * 1553 – The noun [[éclatement]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+ * 1564 – The brightness of light, in Thierry.^(TLFi)

+ * 1604 – “Splendour”, in Montchrestien.^(TLFi)

+ * 1643 – The vividness of a colour, in Corneille.^(TLFi)

+ * 1645 – “Scandal”, in Corneille.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|splinter]], fragment, chip: ''éclat de verre'', ''éclat d'obus'', ''voler en éclats'', to shatter.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A sudden loud noise, a [[m|en|burst]]: ''éclats de voix'', ''rire aux éclats'', to roar with laughter.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Brightness, [[m|en|brilliance]] (of light, a colour, the eyes).^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Splendour, lustre: ''l'éclat de la jeunesse'', ''coup d'éclat'', a brilliant feat.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A scandal, a scene: ''faire un éclat'', ''sans éclat'', discreetly.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Louisiana, plural)'' Kindling.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[éclater]]

+ * [[éclatant]]

+ * [[frk|*slaitan]]

+ * [[en|slit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}