govern

Where does the word "govern" come from? It comes from Latin gubernare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Govern’s story begins in Latin: gubernare meant “to steer a ship.” From Greek 'kybernan', to steer, also the root of 'cybernetics'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as governer. Transferred from steering a ship to steering a state. It reached English by 1200s as govern. 'governor' followed. Today, govern means to control and direct a state or people.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gubernare "to steer a ship", from Greek 'kybernan', to steer, also the root of 'cybernetics'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval governer "to rule", transferred from steering a ship to steering a state.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s govern "to rule", 'governor' followed.