regular

Definition

Bound by religious rule; belonging to a monastic or religious order (often as opposed to secular).

Etymology

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”).

Example Sentences

• "regular clergy, in distinction from the secular clergy"
• "A quarter of a million strong in 1680, the clergy was only half as large in 1789. The unpopular regular clergy were the worst affected."
• "April may be the cruellest month, but I am planning to render it civilised and to take my antibiotics in a regular manner."

Related Words