English
rule
Rule comes from Middle English reule, from Old French riule, from Latin regula ‘straight stick’, from regō ‘to keep straight’, ultimately from PIE *h₃reǵ-.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃reǵ-‘to straighten’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃réǵeti‘to straighten’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEregō‘to keep straight’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEregula‘straight stick’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400riule
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500reule
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1601–1602rule
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃reǵ-‘to straighten’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃réǵeti‘to straighten’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEregō‘to keep straight’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEregula‘straight stick’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400riule
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500reule
- Englishearliest quotation c. 1601–1602rule
Earliest quotation: c. 1601–1602, William Shakespeare, Twelfe Night, or What You Will: “This uncivil rule; she shall know of it.”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- ‘to straighten’
right, real, rich, royal, correct, rank, arrangement, roy, radar, arrange, rack, rex, rogue, interrogation, raj, rake, dresser, rector, regal, regency, rani, undress, dressage, rajah, rhesus, eldritch, rectilinear, riel, interregnum, retch, dirigible, derailleur, 74 more
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti ‘to straighten’
through Proto-Italic *regō
regional, resource, directory, regiment, regimen, erectile, erectus, erector, 36 more
through Latin regō ‘to keep straight, direct, govern, rule’
director, source, region, direction, address, direct, dress, regime, realm, resurrection, erect, regent, insurrection, rectify, rectum, rectification, droit, régime, irregularity, dirge, incorrigible, recto, rectus, rectitude, derecho, regio, corregidor, 47 more
through Latin regula ‘straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern’
Another origin of rule
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃reǵ-‘to straighten’reconstructed
- Proto-Indo-European, derivedc. 4500–2500 BCE*h₃réǵeti‘to straighten’reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*regōreconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEregō‘to rule, govern’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEregula‘a rule’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEregulāre‘to regulate, rule’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400riuler
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500reulen‘to rule’
- Englishtodayrule
Today it means
noun A regulation, law, guideline.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- / rule