regime

Where does the word "regime" come from? It comes from Latin regimen, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1792).

Regime’s story begins in Latin: regimen meant “a system of rule.” A system of rule or government, from regere (to rule, to direct). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as regimen. Carried into French governmental and administrative vocabulary. From there it passed into French as regime by 1700s. Settled in modern French for a system of government or administration. It reached English by 1792 as regime. The French Revolution's 'Ancien Régime', old order, gave the political sense. Today, regime means a system of government, or a planned regular course of action.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient regimen "a system of rule", a system of rule or government, from regere (to rule, to direct).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval regimen "a system of government or rule", carried into French governmental and administrative vocabulary.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1700s regime "a system of government or administration", settled in modern French for a system of government or administration.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1792 regime "a system of government or management", the French Revolution's 'Ancien Régime', old order, gave the political sense.