action French · revision 17064

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=mid-12th century, Psautier de Cambridge (acciun de grace)|origins=la agō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ak.sjɔ̃/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''action''' ''f'' (plural actions)^(Wiktionary)

+ Old French ''acciun'', ''aucion''; the spelling was later remade after Latin.^(Wiktionary)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|āctiō|t=doing, acting; legal action]], from [[m|la|agō|t=to do]] (see [[agir]]).^(Grand Robert 2005)^(GLLF 1989)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(FEW|24, 114b) Its first use, “action de grâce” “thanksgiving”, is a calque of [[la|grātiārum āctiō]], and Christian Latin also used “actio” for the giving of thanks.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ The financial sense “share” (1669) is probably from “action” “claim, asset” in the 17th century, by way of [[nl|actie]].^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007) Bloch and Wartburg disagree: the Dutch word had another sense and is itself rather of French origin, through [[de|Aktie]], and “action” took the new sense after [[actif]] “assets”.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ''Psautier de Cambridge'' (mid-12th century) has ''acciun de grace'', a religious expression of thanks to God.^(GLLF 1989)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense “what someone does” is recorded in 1250 in Gautier de Coinci, and the legal sense, a right to sue and a lawsuit, in Beaumanoir in 1283.^(GLLF 1989)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Littré 1873) In the 14th century it was also a manner of acting, and Oresme defined it as “operation”.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Littré 1873) The theatrical sense was already Latin, and in the 16th and 17th centuries it was also an orator's delivery or plea.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ The financial ''action'' “share” appears in 1669 in Colbert, and the figurative ''ses actions montent'' “his stock is rising” comes from it.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(BHVF) In Switzerland ''action'' is a special offer in a shop.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-12th century – ''Acciun de grace'', ''Psautier de Cambridge''.^(GLLF 1989)

+ * 1250 – “Deed”, Gautier de Coinci.^(GLLF 1989)

+ * 1283 – A lawsuit, Beaumanoir.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(GLLF 1989)

+ * 14th century – “Manner of acting”.^(Grand Robert 2005)

+ * 1669 – A share, Colbert.^(Grand Robert 2005)^(BHVF)

+ * 1954 – ''Action psychologique''.^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[m|en|act]], a [[m|en|deed]]: ''une bonne action'', ''action d'éclat''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The fact of producing an effect; an influence: ''l'action du médicament'', ''sous l'action du gel'', ''en action'', at work.^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # Action as opposed to thought: ''homme d'action'', ''passer à l'action''.^(GLLF 1989)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # A campaign, an organized operation; a military engagement.^(Wiktionary)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''(physics)'' Action: ''principe de moindre action''.^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # The plot or events of a play, novel or film.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''(law)'' A [[m|en|lawsuit]], a right to sue: ''intenter une action''.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Littré 1873)

+ # ''(finance)'' A [[m|en|share]] in a company: ''société par actions''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''Action de grâce(s)'': [[m|en|thanksgiving]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Switzerland)'' A special offer.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[actionner]]

+ * [[inaction]]

+ * [[réaction]]

+ * [[actionnaire]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[acte]]

+ * [[agir]]

+ * [[agent]]

+ * [[actif]]

+ * [[la|actio]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}