Regent
/ˈriː.dʒənt/noun
A person appointed to govern a state or kingdom because the monarch is absent, incapacitated, or a minor.
Did you know?Regent comes from Latin *regentem*, the present participle of *regere* (“to rule, guide, direct”), the same ancient root behind words of straightness, control, and leadership.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₃reǵ-
“to direct, guide, straighten”
Latin
Latin
regere
“to rule, guide, keep straight”
Latin
Latin
regentem
“ruling, governing”
Old French
Old French
regent
“one who rules or governs”
Middle English
English
regent
“a ruler acting for a sovereign”
Modern English
English
regent
“a person appointed to govern for a monarch who is absent or unable to rule”