note French · revision 17011

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1155, Wace, Roman de Brut|origins=la nota}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /nɔt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''note''' ''f'' (plural notes)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|nota|t=sign, mark; musical note; written note, remark]].^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(FEW|7, 196a)^(Wiktionary) Rey and the Petit Robert note that some link the Latin word to the past participle of [[m|la|nōscō|t=to get to know]].^(DHLF 1992)^(Petit Robert 2007) In Latin it also meant shorthand signs, numerals and punctuation, a brand mark and hence the censor's mark of disgrace; in Medieval Latin a deed (1102) and the draft of a notarial deed.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) The unfavourable sense of the French word “mark of infamy” comes from Latin.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) Old French also had a popular form [[m|fro|noe]] “speckle on a bird's plumage” (1376).^(TLFi)

+

+ Cognate with [[oc|nota]], [[es|nota]] and [[it|nota]].^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Wace's ''Brut'' (1155) uses it in music for a melody: ''Il aveit apris a chanter E lais e notes a harper'' “he had learned to sing, and to play lays and tunes on the harp”.^(TLFi)^(AND)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the late 14th century Eustache Deschamps uses it in the modern musical sense, the sign for a sound and the sound itself.^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992) Figurative phrases followed: ''en note basse'' “in a low voice” (1593), ''changer de note'' “to change one's tune” (1613), ''être dans la note'' “to be in keeping” (1879).^(TLFi)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ From 1241 it is also what is set down in writing, at first mainly in law and administration, such as the draft of a deed (1370).^(DHLF 1992) From 1636 (Monet) it is a short written record or remark, ''prendre note'', a note on a text, and in diplomacy a ''note diplomatique'' (1824).^(DHLF 1992)^(GLLF 1989) A teacher's appraisal of a pupil is recorded in 1845 and the mark as a figure in 1906; the bill to be paid is also a ''note''.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1155 – “Tune, melody”, Wace.^(TLFi)

+ * 1241 – A written record.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * Late 14th century – The sign for a musical sound, Eustache Deschamps.^(TLFi)

+ * 1636 – A brief written record or remark, Monet.^(GLLF 1989)

+ * 1824 – A diplomatic note.^(GLLF 1989)

+ * 1845 – A teacher's appraisal of a pupil.^(TLFi)

+ * 1906 – A mark expressed as a figure.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(music)'' A [[m|en|note]]; the sign that represents it: ''les notes de la gamme'', ''fausse note''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A brief written record: ''prendre des notes'', ''prendre note de quelque chose''.^(Wiktionary)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # A remark on a text: ''note en bas de page''.^(Wiktionary)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # A short communication: ''note de service'', ''note diplomatique''.^(GLLF 1989)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # A [[m|en|mark]], grade given to a pupil or a piece of work: ''une bonne note''.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|bill]]: ''la note d'hôtel'', ''note de frais'', an expense account.^(Wiktionary)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # A touch, hint: ''une note de gaieté'', ''être dans la note'', to fit in.^(Wiktionary)^(DHLF 1992)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[noter]]

+ * [[notamment]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[notice]]

+ * [[notaire]]

+ * [[notable]]

+ * [[annoter]]

+ * [[la|nota]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}