English
realm
Realm comes from Middle English rewme ‘kingdom, realm, nation’.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500rewme‘kingdom, realm, nation’
- Englishearliest quotation 1874realm
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500rewme‘kingdom, realm, nation’
- Englishearliest quotation 1874realm
Earliest quotation: 1874, Horatio Alger, Chapter XXXI: “And, of this island realm, he and his companion…”
The story
A postulated *rēgālimen (‘domain, kingdom’), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited. The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology.
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- ‘to straighten’
right, rich, regular, correct, royal, rank, arrangement, roy, radar, arrange, rack, rogue, interrogation, raj, rex, rake, dresser, rector, regency, rani, regal, rajah, undress, dressage, rhesus, eldritch, riel, dirigible, derailleur, interregnum, rectilinear, retch, 74 more
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti ‘to be straightening, to be setting upright’
through Proto-Italic *regō
regional, resource, ruler, directory, erectile, erectus, erector, 35 more
through Latin regō ‘to rule’
source, rule, director, region, direction, address, direct, dress, regiment, regulate, resurrection, erect, regent, regimen, insurrection, rectify, rectum, incorrigible, droit, irregularity, rectification, dirge, rectitude, regula, recto, rectus, derecho, corregidor, regio, 45 more
through Latin regimen ‘guiding, governing, directing’
Today it means
noun A territory or state, as ruled by an absolute authority, especially by a king; a kingdom.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English rewme / realm