mignon French · revision 16910

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 1160, Béroul, Tristan}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /mi.ɲɔ̃/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mignon''' (feminine mignonne, masculine plural mignons, feminine plural mignonnes)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The TLFi and Rey derive it, with the suffix [[-on]], from an expressive stem “mign-” that originally expressed sweetness and grace, distinct from the stem of [[minet]] “cat”.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989) Rey mentions and rejects as splitting the group without good reason a Celtic origin, from [[sga|mín|t=small, tender, gentle]], and a Germanic one from [[gem-pro|*minjō]].^(DHLF 1992) Wiktionary favours the Germanic source, through [[frk|*minnju|t=love, affection]]; compare [[goh|minna|t=love]].^(Wiktionary) The Grand Robert and the Petit Robert see in it [[mignot]] with a change of suffix, perhaps from the word for a cat.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007) Littré already compared [[br|miñonez|t=friend]] and [[de|Minne|t=love]], and rejected a derivation from [[la|minimus]].^(Littré 1873)

+

+ From the 15th and 16th centuries it displaced the older word (1225), still widespread in the dialects, whose derivatives [[mignoter]] and [[amignoter]] survive.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) [[it|mignone]] has the same stem.^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Béroul's ''Tristan'' (late 12th century) has it once as a noun, apparently an insult for a man who lends himself to another's lust.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the first half of the 15th century the noun meant a lover; in 1446 it named the young favourites of Charles VII's court, and in 1594 the effeminate favourites of Henri III, the ''mignons''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) ''Ma mignonne'' “my sweetheart” is found about 1460–1480.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ The adjective “graceful, pretty, pleasing” appears in Guillaume Coquillart (1478–1480), and soon after the noun was a term of endearment with no erotic overtone (1530).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) From the 16th century, with the idea of smallness and charm, it was used of a typeface (1561), fruit (1690, ''pesche mignonne''), children's shoes (1831) and the ''filet mignon'' cut from the tip of the fillet (1833).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) ''Péché mignon'', a small habitual weakness, is in the Académie dictionary of 1718.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) It was borrowed as [[en|mignon]] “delicately formed” in the 1550s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 12th century – An insult, in Béroul's ''Tristan''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1225 – The older ''mignot''.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1446 – The favourites of Charles VII.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1478–1480 – The adjective “graceful, pretty”, in Coquillart.^(TLFi)

+ * 1555 – ''Mignon de couchette'' “bedfellow”.^(TLFi)

+ * 1594 – The favourites of Henri III, in the ''Satyre Ménippée''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1718 – ''Péché mignon'', in the Académie dictionary.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1833 – ''Filet mignon''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|cute|alt=Cute]], dainty, charming in its smallness: ''une mignonne petite fille'', ''mignonne comme tout''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(familiar)'' Kind, nice, obliging.^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''Péché mignon'': a little weakness, a favourite indulgence.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(DHLF 1992)

+ # ''Filet mignon'': a cut from the tip of the [[m|en|fillet]].^(Petit Robert 2007)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A darling, a term of endearment: ''mon mignon'', ''ma mignonne''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ # ''(history)'' A [[m|en|favourite]] of a prince, especially one of the favourites of Henri III.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ # A small cake.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mignonnette]]

+ * [[mignard]]

+ * [[mignardise]]

+ * [[mignonnement]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mignot]]

+ * [[mignoter]]

+ * [[en|minion]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}