control
/kənˈtroʊl/
noun
Origin
Medieval Latin
contrarotulus — a counter-roll, a duplicate register used to verify accounts
Overview
Meaning Now
- The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.
- A standard of comparison for checking or verifying the results of an experiment.
Literal older meaning
to check against a duplicate register
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
controll
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The word originally referred to the administrative practice of keeping a duplicate register (a 'counter-roll') to verify the accuracy of financial accounts. Over time, the administrative 'check' evolved into a general sense of authority, power, and oversight.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
contra + rotulus
“against + small wheel/roll”
Basis for financial record verification.
- Medieval Latin
contrarotulare
“to check against a duplicate roll”
- Old French
contreroller
“to check, verify”
- Middle English
controllen
“to exercise restraint or authority”
Connections
Word parts
contra
prefix
against
rotulus
root
roll of parchment
Related across languages
French
contrôler
to check
Spanish
controlar
to control
Explore next
Related to control
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.