Middle English word rein comes from Latin teneo, Proto-Germanic *regnaz (Rain.), Latin regem, Proto-Italic *rēginā (Queen.), Latin re-
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| teneo | Latin (lat) | (of laws) I am binding on; bind, hold, obligate. (reflexive) I keep back, remain, stay, hold position. I comprise, contain, include, hold. I hold fast, restrain, detain, check, control; bind, fetter. I hold, have; grasp. I insist, uphold. I know, grasp, understand, conceive. I possess, occupy, control. I reach, attain; gain, acquire, obtain. I recollect, retain knowledge of, remember, bear [...] |
| *regnaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Rain. |
| regem | Latin (lat) | |
| *rēginā | Proto-Italic (itc-pro) | Queen. |
| re- | Latin (lat) | Again; prefix added to various words to indicate an action being done again, or like the other usages indicated above under English.. Back, backwards. |
| reġn | Old English (ang) | |
| regn | Old English (ang) | Rain. |
| retineo | Latin (lat) | I hold fast, maintain, preserve, protect, guard, retain.. I hold in check, repress, check, stop, stay.. I keep or hold back, detain, restrain, retain, confine, contain; delay. |
| regina | Latin (lat) | (Later Latin, chess) queen. Princess. Queen. |
| *retina | Vulgar Latin (la-vul) | |
| *retina | Latin (lat) | (Vulgar Latin) rein. |
| resne | Old French (fro) | Rein (for an animal). |
| reine | Old French (fro) | |
| reyn | Middle English (enm) |