atget: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely LowArchival / Historical / Literary / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “atget” mean?
An uncommon, obsolete or dialectal verb meaning 'to beget' or 'to procreate'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An uncommon, obsolete or dialectal verb meaning 'to beget' or 'to procreate'.
In modern contexts, it is almost exclusively encountered as a proper noun, referring to the French photographer Eugène Atget, or as a historical linguistic term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; the word is equally archaic in both variants and primarily known as a surname.
Connotations
The name 'Atget' carries strong connotations of Parisian street photography, historical preservation, and artistic influence.
Frequency
Effectively zero as a common verb. Name recognition is limited to art, photography, and academic circles.
Grammar
How to Use “atget” in a Sentence
[Subject] atget [Object] (archaic)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “atget” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ancient text stated the king did atget a son.
American English
- The lineage was atgotten through the eldest male.
adjective
British English
- An Atget-esque quality pervaded the photographs of old London.
American English
- The photographer's style was distinctly Atget-inspired.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in art history, photography studies, and historical linguistics.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
May appear in etymological dictionaries or specialized photographic texts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “atget”
- Using it as a modern verb.
- Misspelling as 'aget' or 'at get'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is an obsolete verb. It is only relevant as the surname of the photographer Eugène Atget.
It is a French name, approximately pronounced /aʒ.'ʒɛ/ in French. In English, it is often approximated as 'ah-ZHAY' or 'at-ZHEH'.
He is renowned for his systematic documentary photographs of the architecture and street scenes of Paris in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
No. The verb form is entirely archaic and would not be understood in modern communication.
An uncommon, obsolete or dialectal verb meaning 'to beget' or 'to procreate'.
Atget is usually archival / historical / literary / artistic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old family tree (a 'get' of your ancestors) and think 'AT the beginning, they were begotten' → Atget.
Conceptual Metaphor
CREATION IS PROGENATION (archaic). ARTISTIC DOCUMENTATION IS ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION (modern).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'Atget' most commonly used today?