regular

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*h₃reǵ-“move in a straight line”
2. Latin · derived fromrēgulāris“continuing rules for guidance”
3. Middle French · derived fromreguler
4. Anglo-Norman · derived fromreguler
5. Middle English · inherited fromreguler
6. English todayregular

From Middle English reguler, from Anglo-Norman reguler, Middle French reguler, regulier, and their source, Latin rēgulāris (“continuing rules for guidance”), from rēgula (“rule”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- (“move in a straight line”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Bound by religious rule; belonging to a monastic or religious order (often as opposed to secular).
• from 15th c. Having a constant pattern; showing evenness of form or appearance.
• from 16th c. Both equilateral and equiangular; having all sides of the same length, and all (corresponding) angles of the same size
• from 16th c. Demonstrating a consistent set of rules; showing order, evenness of operation or occurrence.
• from 16th c. Well-behaved, orderly; restrained (of a lifestyle etc.).
• from 17th c. Happening at constant (especially short) intervals.
• from 17th c. Of a verb, plural, etc., following a set or common pattern; according to the general rules of a given language.
• from 17th c. Having the expected characteristics or appearances; normal, ordinary, standard.