clé French · revision 17089

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1100, Chanson de Roland (clef)|origins=la clāvis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kle/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clé''' ''f'' (plural clés)^(Wiktionary)

+ Also spelled ''clef'', Old French ''clef'', plural ''clez''.^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Wiktionary) The spelling ''clé'' was taken from the plural ''clés''; both are now accepted.^(TLFi)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|fro|clef]], [[inh|la|clāvis|t=key; bolt, bar]].^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary) The Latin word is related to [[m|la|clāvus|t=nail]] (see [[clou]]) and [[m|la|claudō|t=to shut]] (see [[clore]]).^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ Cognate with [[it|chiave]], [[ro|cheie]], [[oc|clau]], [[es|llave]] and [[pt|chave]].^(Petit Robert 2007)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ''Chanson de Roland'' (about 1100) has ''clef'' for the metal instrument that opens a door.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Philippe de Thaon (1115–30) uses it for what explains something, a formula for working out the movable feasts, and Wace has ''cles del ciel''.^(TLFi) Chrétien de Troyes speaks of ''la clef d'amors'' (1181–90), what gives access; in 1268 it is a strategic position commanding a region, and ''la clé des champs'' is in a proverb collection of 1317.^(TLFi) Technical uses include the keystone of a vault (13th century), the clef in music (before 1407) and a spanner or wrench.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Furetière (1690) records ''clef'' as a code for deciphering, and the ''clef'' of a novel.^(TLFi) ''À la clé'' “into the bargain” is from 1866–72, and ''clé USB'' names a USB stick.^(BHVF)^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1100 – ''Clef'', ''Chanson de Roland''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1115–30 – “What explains”, Philippe de Thaon.^(TLFi)

+ * 13th century – ''Clef de la voute''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1317 – ''Avoir les clez des chans''.^(TLFi)

+ * before 1407 – A clef in music, Eustache Deschamps.^(TLFi)

+ * 1690 – A cipher key, ''clef d'un roman'', Furetière.^(TLFi)

+ * 1872 – ''À la clef''.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|key]]: ''la clé de la porte'', ''fermer à clé'', ''mettre la clé sous la porte'', to shut up shop.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The key (to a problem, a mystery): ''la clé de l'énigme'', ''roman à clé''.^(Wiktionary)^(TLFi)

+ # ''(as adjective)'' Key, essential: ''un poste clé''.^(Wiktionary)^(BHVF)

+ # A [[m|en|spanner]], wrench: ''clé anglaise'', ''clé à molette''.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(music)'' A [[m|en|clef]]: ''clé de sol''.^(Wiktionary)^(TLFi)

+ # ''Clé de voûte'': [[m|en|keystone]].^(Wiktionary)^(TLFi)

+ # ''Clé USB'': a USB stick, ''(cryptography)'' a key.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''La clé des champs'': freedom, ''prendre la clé des champs'', to run off.^(TLFi)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clavier]]

+ * [[enclaver]]

+ * [[clef]]

+ * [[clou]]

+ * [[clore]]

+ * [[la|clāvis]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}