Verbum Hodiernum: REGNUM

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REGNUM Dictionary Entry

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Today's word is the noun, REGNUM, from the noun root rex (reg-). The basic meaning of regnum is "kingdom," the thing that is ruled by the king (quod rex regit). By metaphorical extension, it also comes to mean other kinds of authority and dominion, not just that exercised by a king. By a different metaphorical extension, the word regnum can also refer to a place, the place (or people) ruled by a particular king.

Via Old French reigne, the Latin regnum gives us the word "reign" in English. You can also see the Latin word unaltered in the English word "interregnum."

From the noun root in regnum, Latin derives the related verb regnare, "to reign, be king," and also in the more general sense, "to dominate, conquer."

Here are some sayings and proverbs that use today's word, regnum, and also regnare:

Peritura regna omnia.

Regna custodit metus.

Florent concordia regna.

Discordia dilabuntur regna.

Regnum non capit duos.

Idem regnum non fert duos tyrannos.

Nulla fides regni sociis.

Omne regnum divisum desolaretur.

Iniqua numquam regna perpetuo manent.

Columna regni sapientia.

Rex imperator in regno suo.

Potius est felicitas regno.

Quaerite primum regnum Dei.

Effugere cupiditatem regnum est vincere.

Deum cole, regnum serva.

Vae regno cuius rex puer est.

Divide et regna.

Divide ut regnes.

Si vis regnare, divide.

Sola pecunia regnat.

Nummus regnat ubique.

Regnant qualibet urbe lupi.

Ubi Bacchus regnat, Venus saltat.

Aliud regnum alios mores postulat.

Nescit regnare, qui nescit dissimulare.

Legem servare est regnare.

Deo servire regnare est.

Rex regnat, sed non gubernat.

Inter pygmaeos regnat nanus.

Inter caecos regnat luscus.

In caecorum regno regnant strabones.

Monoculus rex in regno caecorum.

Beati monoculi in regno caecorum.