English
government
Government comes from Old French governement, from governer ‘to guide, govern’, from Latin gubernō ‘to steer a ship; to govern’, and ultimately from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω ‘to steer, pilot’.
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκυβερνάωkubernáō‘to steer, pilot’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEgubernō‘to steer; to govern’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400governer‘to guide; to govern’
- Old French, derivedc. 842–1400governement‘government’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form‘the action of governing’
- Englishearliest quotation 1849government
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκυβερνάωkubernáō‘to steer, pilot’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEgubernō‘to steer; to govern’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400governer‘to guide; to govern’
- Old French, derivedc. 842–1400governement‘government’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500same form‘the action of governing’
- Englishearliest quotation 1849government
Earliest quotation: 1849, 1840, Chapitre V. Second Partie. § 2.: “Ainsi, dans une société donnée, l’autorité de l’homme sur…”
Formed from govern + -ment
Ancient Greek κυβερνάω ‘to steer, drive, govern’
Latin gubernō ‘to pilot, steer a ship’
Old French governer ‘to guide’
Middle English governen ‘to exercise political authority over’
English govern
Linked words
through Ancient Greek κύρβεις ‘turnable wooden cylinders’
through Ancient Greek κυβερνάω ‘to guide, govern, direct’
Today it means
noun The body with the power to make and/or enforce laws to control a country, land area, people or organization.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Ancient Greek κυβερνάω / government