region

Where does the word "region" come from? It comes from Latin regere, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Region’s story begins in Latin: regere meant “to rule, to guide.” The root of 'regal', 'regime' and 'rule'. Within Latin, it grew into regio by ancient. A direction, a boundary, a ruled district, from regere. From there it passed into Old French as region by medieval. Carried into French for a distinct area of land. It reached English by 1300s as region. Settled as the English word for a distinct area or part of a country. Today, region means a distinct area or part of a country, continent, or the world.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient regere "to rule, to guide", the root of 'regal', 'regime' and 'rule'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient regio "a boundary, a ruled district", a direction, a boundary, a ruled district, from regere.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval region "a distinct area of land", carried into French for a distinct area of land.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s region "a distinct area or part of a country or the world", settled as the English word for a distinct area or part of a country.