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Where does the word "discipline" come from? It comes from Latin disciplina, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "discipline" come from? It comes from Latin disciplina, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Discipline’s story begins in Latin: disciplina meant “teaching, training.” From 'discipulus', pupil, the root of 'disciple'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as discipline. Monks' penitential whipping. It reached English by 1200s as discipline. School 'discipline' followed. Today, discipline means training to obey rules.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient disciplina "teaching, training", from 'discipulus', pupil, the root of 'disciple'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval discipline "penance, training", monks' penitential whipping.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s discipline "penance; training", school 'discipline' followed.