voleur French · revision 16947

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=1516, Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris|origins=la volo}}

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+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /vɔ.lœʁ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''voleur''' ''m'' (plural voleurs, feminine voleuse)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|fr|voler|-eur]],^(Wiktionary)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007) from the verb in the sense “to steal”, which developed (1549) in the language of falconry, from phrases such as “ce faucon vole la perdrix”, “this falcon flies at (catches) the partridge”.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) The verb continues [[la|volō|t=to fly]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ The Grand Robert, the Petit Robert and the GLLF think that the older [[m|frm|volleur|t=hunter with hawks]] (Coquillart, about 1480) was used metaphorically in the criminals' jargon for ruffians.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989)^(TLFi) Étienne Pasquier, in the 16th century, explained it by an ordinance of Francis I against men who pretended to fly their hawks while lying in wait for merchants on the roads, adding ''si cela n'est vray, il est bien trouvé''.^(Littré 1873)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A ''Journal d'un bourgeois de Paris'' says that in 1516 ''plusieurs maulvais garçons appelez voleurs'' were roaming France, looting and killing;^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Grand Robert 2005) Rey notes that this jargon use is earlier than the regular use of ''voler'' “to steal”.^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In 1526 a certain Nicolas, ''volleur'', was burned in Paris, and, from the mid-16th century (Du Fail, 1547, Robert Estienne, 1549) the word belonged to the general language for a person who takes another's property.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) By extension it was said of anyone who causes another financial loss (1594), and figuratively of a plagiarist (1620).^(DHLF 1992)

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+ ''Au voleur !'' “stop thief!” is recorded in 1585 (Du Fail), ''voleur de grands chemins'' “highwayman” in 1648, and ''comme un voleur'' “stealthily” with verbs such as ''partir'' or ''filer''.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(BHVF) Bossuet echoes Revelation 3:3 in ''Je viens, dit Jésus-Christ, comme un voleur''.^(TLFi) The adjective is found about 1585.^(DHLF 1992) In falconry Furetière (1690) calls a bird that flies well ''bon voleur'' or ''beau voleur''.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1480 – ''Volleur'' “hunter with hawks”, in Coquillart.^(TLFi)

+ * 1516 – ''Voleurs'', ruffians, in jargon.^(TLFi)

+ * 1547 – General use, in Noël du Fail.^(TLFi)

+ * 1549 – ''Voler'' “to steal” (Robert Estienne).^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+ * 1585 – ''Au voleur !''; the adjective.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1620 – “Plagiarist”.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1648 – ''Voleur de grands chemins''.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * 1651 – ''Volereau'' “petty thief”.^(TLFi)

+ * 1690 – ''Bon voleur'' in falconry.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|thief]], [[m|en|robber]]: ''au voleur !'', stop thief!, ''voleur de grand chemin'', a highwayman, ''voleur à la tire'', a pickpocket.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A person who cheats others or takes more than is due.^(DHLF 1992)

+ # ''Comme un voleur'': stealthily, without being noticed.^(DHLF 1992)

+ # ''(falconry)'' A bird judged by its flight: ''bon voleur''.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Thieving, [[m|en|thievish]].^(Wiktionary)^(DHLF 1992)

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+ ==Word family==

+ * [[volereau]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vol]]

+ * [[voler]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}