calmer French · revision 17193

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=second half of the 15th century, Arnoul Gréban, Mystère de la Passion|origins=grc καῦμα}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kal.me/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''calmer'''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The TLFi, the Grand Robert and the Petit Robert derive it from the adjective [[calme]] with the verbal ending “-er”.^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007) The GLLF and Bloch and Wartburg take it instead from [[it|calmare]], itself from [[m|it|calma|t=calm]], Wiktionary allows both.^(GLLF 1989)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Wiktionary) “Calme” was borrowed in 1418, through Italian or an Iberian language, from [[grc|καῦμα|tr=kaûma|t=burning heat]], whence the stillness of the sea in very hot weather.^(DHLF 1992)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Compare [[es|calmar]] and [[it|calmare]].^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first found in Arnoul Gréban's ''Mystère de la Passion'' (second half of the 15th century).^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Littré's 16th-century example has Amadis Jamyn's ''celui qui calma la tourmente De l'orage civil'', already figurative.^(Littré 1873) It was used of storms and the sea, of people and crowds (''calmer les esprits''), and of pain and feelings (''calmer une douleur'', ''sa colère'').^(Littré 1873)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989) ''Calmer le jeu'' means to ease tensions.^(Petit Robert 2007) Féraud (1768) noted that in some provinces the people said ''carmé''.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1418 – The noun ''calme''.^(DHLF 1992)

+ * Second half of the 15th century – Gréban's ''Mystère de la Passion''.^(TLFi)

+ * 16th century – Figurative use, Amadis Jamyn.^(Littré 1873)

+ * 1694 – Recorded by the Académie.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|calm]], quieten, pacify: ''calmer un enfant'', ''calmer les esprits'', ''calmer le jeu''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Larousse)

+ # To soothe, relieve, ease: ''calmer une douleur'', ''calmer sa faim'', ''calmer sa colère''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''Se calmer'': to calm down; of the wind or the sea, to die down, [[m|en|abate]].^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[calme]]

+ * [[calmant]]

+ * [[accalmie]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}