Etymology

realm

R1E1A1L1M3

Today it means: A territory or state, as ruled by an absolute authority, especially by a king; a kingdom. Full definition →

First used ca. 1300Middle English rewme ← Old French reaume
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The story

  1. Old French · derived fromreaume
  2. Middle English · inherited fromrewme
  3. English todayrealm

From Middle English rewme, realme, reaume, from Old French reaume, realme, reialme (“kingdom”), of unclear origins. A postulated *rēgālimen (“domain, kingdom”), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited. The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology.

First known use, by meaning

  • from ca. 1300 A territory or state, as ruled by an absolute authority, especially by a king; a kingdom.
  • from ca. 1300 An otherworldly dimension or domain — magical, ethereal, or otherwise.
  • from ca. 1300 The spiritual state of which God is the head; the Kingdom of Heaven.
  • from after 1400 A sphere of knowledge or of influence; a domain.
  • from 1850s A primary zoogeographical division of the earth's surface.
  • from 1560s A region or zone forming part of a cosmological system.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.