absolu

French

Etymology

Inherited from Middle French absolut, replaced earlier asolu (c. 1100), from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, free; complete”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ap.sɔ.ly/

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• Homophones: absolue, absolues, absolus, absolut, absolût

Adjective

absolu (feminine absolue, masculine plural absolus, feminine plural absolues)

1. absolute

   Coordinate term: relatif

   oreille absolue ― absolute pitch, perfect pitch

2. (grammar) absolute

   ablatif absolu ― ablative absolute

   accusatif absolu ― accusative absolute

   génitif absolu ― genitive absolute

   nominatif absolu ― nominative absolute

   emploi absolu ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

Derived terms

• absolument
• avantage absolu
• magnitude absolue
• majorité absolue
• monarchie absolue
• valeur absolue
• verbe absolu
• zéro absolu

Noun

absolu m (countable and uncountable, plural absolus)

1. absolute (that which exists independent of references to other standards or external conditions; that which is universally valid; that which is not relative, conditional, qualified or mitigated; that which is complete in itself; that which is perfect)

   en quête d'absolu ― seeking perfection

   dans l'absolu ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

Descendants

• → Romanian: absolut

Further reading

• “absolu”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012