discipline

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪsɪplɪn/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience: a lack of proper parental and school discipline
  • the controlled behaviour resulting from such training: he was able to maintain discipline among his men
  • activity that provides mental or physical training: the tariqa offered spiritual discipline [count noun]: Kung fu is a discipline open to old and young
  • [count noun] a system of rules of conduct: he doesn’t have to submit to normal disciplines
  • 2a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education: sociology is a fairly new discipline

verb

[with object]
  • train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience: many parents have been afraid to discipline their children
  • punish or rebuke formally for an offence: a member of staff was to be disciplined by management
  • (discipline oneself to do something) train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way: every month discipline yourself to go through the file

Derivatives

disciplinable

adjective

disciplinal

Pronunciation: /ˌdɪsɪˈplʌɪn(ə)l, ˈdɪsɪˌplɪn(ə)l/
adjective

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'mortification by scourging oneself'): via Old French from Latin disciplina 'instruction, knowledge', from discipulus (see disciple)

Spelling help

Remember that discipline is spelled with -sc- in the middle.