English
jouissance
Jouissance comes from Middle French jouissance, from iouyr ‘to enjoy’, and ultimately from Old French joïr.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400joïr
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600iouyras jouir‘to enjoy’
- Middle French, derivedc. 1400–1600jouissance
- Englishearliest quotation 1603same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history not traced here.
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400joïr
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600iouyras jouir‘to enjoy’
- Middle French, derivedc. 1400–1600jouissance
- Englishearliest quotation 1603same form
Earliest quotation: 1603, Michel de Montaigne, The Essayes […]: “friendship is enjoyed according as it is desired, it…”
Every English word from Old French joïr
Today it means
noun Enjoyment, delight, pleasure.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French joïr / jouissance