épuiser

Épuiser is a French verb meaning to exhaust or to deplete, and it can also mean to wear out physically or mentally. It is transitive, taking a direct object: one épuises a stock, a resource, or a person. In addition, the pronominal form s’épuiser means to exhaust oneself or to run out of energy. The verb can be used figuratively to indicate that a subject has been exhausted by discussion or investigation, as in épuiser un sujet.

Etymology and history: Épuiser is formed with the prefix é- attached to the verb puiser (to draw from, to draw out), conveying the idea of drawing a source dry or using it up completely. The word originates in Old French and has developed a range of related meanings over time, including both the depletion of tangible resources and the fatigue of a person or group.

Conjugation and usage: Épuiser is a regular -er verb. In the present tense: j’épuise, tu épuises, il épuise, nous épuisons, vous épuisez, ils épuisent. The passé composé is formed with avoir: j’ai épuisé. The imperfect: j’épuisais; future: j’épuiserai; subjunctive: que j’épuise. The participle is épuisé. The reflexive form s’épuiser follows the same patterns and uses être in compound tenses: je me suis épuisé. Transitive use often implies depletion of a resource or energy; reflexive use emphasizes self-fatigue or self-exhaustion.

Common usages: Physical or mental depletion (“épuiser ses forces”), depletion of resources or stock (“épuiser le stock”, “un produit épuisé” meaning sold out), and thorough treatment of a topic (“épuiser un sujet” meaning to exhaust all aspects). In everyday language, an object can be described as épuisé when it is no longer available or in print.