regole
/ˈre.ɡo.le/
noun
Origin
Latin
regula — straight stick, bar, pattern, rule
Overview
Meaning Now
- Plural of 'regola'; principles or instructions that define a correct way of acting or performing a task.
- Guidelines or standardized procedures that govern a specific activity or game.
Literal older meaning
planks, straight edges (referring to the tool used for drawing straight lines)
Language path
Latin → Old Italian → Italian
Earliest form
regola
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word stems from the Latin 'regula', which originally referred to a physical tool—a straightedge or carpenter's ruler. In the Middle Ages, it evolved to denote monastic or institutional guidelines, eventually broadening to cover all forms of normative behavior and social order.
Evolution
- Latin
regula
“straight stick; pattern; rule”
Derived from 'regere' (to keep straight, guide, rule).
- Old Italian
regola
“precept, law, standard”
Loss of final Latin vowel -a often results in -e in plural.
- Modern Italian
regole
“laws, regulations, norms”
Connections
Word parts
regol-
root
rule/straighten
-e
ending
plural feminine suffix
Related across languages
French
règles
rules
Spanish
reglas
rules
English
regula
a governing principle (rare/technical)
Related words
Explore next
Related to regole
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.