regiment
UK[ˈredʒɪmənt]US[ˈredʒɪmənt]
n
A permanent unit of an army, typically commanded by a colonel and divided into several smaller units.
v
To organize or control people or things in a strict way, sometimes too strictly.
Morpheme Breakdown
regi
ment
regi
rule
ment
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'regiment' has a direct lineage from Latin regimentum, meaning "government, rule," which itself derives from regere, "to rule." This reflects the original sense of the word as a system of control. In the 16th century, this abstract concept of organized rule was applied specifically to a permanent administrative and tactical unit of an army, emphasizing its structured, governed nature. Thus, the modern meaning evolved from the general idea of "a means of ruling" to the specific instrument of military command and organization.
Analysis
Structure: regi (rule) + ment (noun suffix)
'regi' originates from Latin regere, meaning "to rule, to guide." In this word, it functions as the core root conveying the concept of control or governance. 'ment' is a suffix of Latin origin (-mentum) used to form nouns indicating a means, instrument, or result of an action.
Examples
He served with distinction in a cavalry regiment during the war.
The school regiments the children's behavior with a detailed set of rules.
Daily life in the institution was strictly regimented.