Definition of reign

The word "reign" finds its roots in Old French, where it was spelled "reyn" and pronounced as "ren" or "reyn". In Old French, "reinen" meant "to rule" or "to have power," and the term was used primarily to refer to divine or royal authority. The Old French word was derived from the Latin "regnare," which had a similar meaning. As the Normans invaded England in the 11th century and introduced French as the language of the ruling classes, "reign" and its related forms, such as "rein" or "rayn," became popular in the English language as well. The word was originally written without an "g", since the "g" sound did not exist in Old French, and it was only added later on as English words began to follow more strict spelling rules. In its current form, "reign" continues to be used as a verb, meaning "to rule" or "to have power" over a group of people. As a noun, "reign" refers to the time during which a monarch or other ruler holds power, often specifying the length of their rule. The use of "reign" to describe royal or regal power is a testament to the historical influence of French language and culture on the English language.