Question 1

What is the definition of the French word "rêve"?

Accepted Answer

First person singular present indicative of 'rêver' (to dream).
Third person singular present indicative of 'rêver' (to dream).
First person singular present subjunctive of 'rêver' (to dream).
Third person singular present subjunctive of 'rêver' (to dream).
Second person singular imperative of 'rêver' (to dream).

Question 2

Where does the French word "rêve" come from?

Accepted Answer

Auguste Scheler develops an exceptionally long chapter on this apparently orphaned word (the Germanic languages share an etymon draum ('joy', 'ecstasy') and the Romance languages an etymon based on somnium which gave 'dream'). He starts from the observation that resver meant 'to wander around' and a resveur de nuit a 'nocturnal prowler'. To support his demonstration, he cites the use of synonymous expressions: 'tu rêves!' and 'tu divagues!'

rêve

Syllable Decomposition

Etymology

Definitions

See also