exactement French · revision 17230

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1539, Canappe}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɛɡ.zak.tə.mɑ̃/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''exactement'''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|fr|exact|-ment]].^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary) [[exact]] is borrowed from [[la|exāctus|t=precise, accurate]], the past participle of [[m|la|exigō|t=to drive out; to weigh, measure]].^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Its first record is in Jean Canappe's translation of the third book of the ''Méthode thérapeutique'' (1539).^(TLFi)^(BHVF) The GLLF dates it to 1541 and gives the first sense as “with great care”, as in classical French.^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In classical French it meant “carefully, punctiliously”, in keeping with rules: Corneille writes ''observe exactement la loi que je t'impose''; this sense is now literary.^(GLLF 1989)^(Petit Robert 2007) The sense “precisely, with accuracy” is recorded in 1870, and “quite, altogether” in Rousseau (before 1778).^(GLLF 1989) Used alone in a reply, ''exactement!'' expresses full agreement.^(Larousse)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1539 – First record, Canappe.^(TLFi)

+ * Before 1778 – “Quite, altogether”, Rousseau.^(GLLF 1989)

+ * 1870 – “Precisely”.^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|exactly]], precisely: ''il est exactement trois heures'', ''que vous a-t-il dit exactement?''^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Quite, altogether: ''ce n'est pas exactement la même chose''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # Faithfully, accurately: ''reproduire exactement un texte''.^(Le Robert)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''(literary)'' Scrupulously, punctually: ''payer exactement''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''(in a reply)'' Exactly! Quite so!^(Larousse)^(Le Robert)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[exact]]

+ * [[exactitude]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}