mensonge French · revision 16890

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1100, Chanson de Roland|origins=la-lat mentio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /mɑ̃.sɔ̃ʒ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mensonge''' ''m'' (plural mensonges)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old French [[m|fro|mençunge]] (about 1100), [[m|fro|mençonge]] (about 1160), ''mensonge'' (1188); also [[m|fro|mensoigne]], [[m|fro|mençoigne]].^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|fro|mençonge]], [[inh|la-vul|*mentiōnica]], derived from [[la-lat|mentiō|t=lie]], recorded in the 6th century.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Wiktionary) The TLFi and Rey think this Late Latin word continues classical [[m|la|mentiō|t=mention]] (see [[mention]]), through the sense “false mention”, rather than coming by haplology from [[m|la|*mentītiō]], from the participle of [[m|la|mentior|t=to lie]] (see [[mentir]]); the GLLF prefers the haplology.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989) Another type, [[m|la-vul|*mentiōnia]], is behind [[it|menzogna]] and Old French [[m|fro|mensoigne]].^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(REW 1935) Bloch and Wartburg mention the idea that these words were formed in the language of the Church addressing the people.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ It was feminine until the early 17th century, then masculine (first in 1530, Palsgrave), perhaps under the influence of [[songe]] “dream”, with which it had been paired in literature since the 12th century.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) Compare [[pro|mensonega]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ''Chanson de Roland'' (about 1100) uses ''mençunge'' for a statement contrary to the truth: ''s'altre le dist, jà semblast grant mençonge'' “if another said it, it would seem a great lie”.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the first half of the 12th century the Cambridge Psalter uses it for what is illusory, deceptive, and it was applied, continuing the ancient confusion of lying and imagination, to fiction in art.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) From 1273 it also meant the act or practice of lying.^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989) The proverb ''songe, mensonge'' “dreams are lies” is found in a fuller form in 1611.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ Theologians distinguished kinds of lies, some of which survive: ''mensonge officieux'' “white lie” (1694), ''pieux mensonge'' (1826, Stendhal), which has passed into general use, and ''mensonge joyeux'' “a lie told in jest” (1874).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) The adjective [[mensonger]] (about 1120) gave way to [[menteur]] except in the sense “untrue, invented”.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1100 – ''Mençunge'', in the ''Chanson de Roland''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1st half of the 12th century – “Illusion”, in the Cambridge Psalter.^(TLFi)

+ * c. 1160 – ''Mençonge'', in the ''Roman d'Eneas''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1188 – ''Mensonge'', in Aimon de Varennes.^(TLFi)

+ * 1530 – First used as a masculine noun, in Palsgrave.^(TLFi)

+ * 1694 – ''Mensonge officieux'', in the Académie dictionary.^(TLFi)

+ * 1826 – ''Pieux mensonge'', in Stendhal.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|lie]], a [[m|en|falsehood]]: ''dire des mensonges'', ''un tissu de mensonges'', ''pieux mensonge'', a white lie.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Lying, the practice of deceit.^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''(literary)'' An illusion, something deceptive.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mensonger]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mentir]]

+ * [[menteur]]

+ * [[mention]]

+ * [[la|mentior]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}