Regiment
/ˈrɛdʒ.ɪ.mənt/noun
A military unit made up of several battalions or companies, or the act of regulating and controlling.
Did you know?In its older sense, *regiment* could mean not just a troop unit but a whole system of rule or government, because it comes from the same Latin root as *regulate* and *royal*.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reg-
“to move in a straight line; to direct, lead, rule”
Latin
Latin
regere
“to guide, rule, keep straight”
Late Latin
Latin
regimentum
“government, rule, guidance”
Old French
Old French
regiment
“rule, government; body of troops under one commander”
Middle English
English
regiment
“rule, governance; a military body”
Modern English
English
regiment
“a military unit; also, strict ordering or discipline”