Discipline Meaning
/ˈdɪsɪplɪn/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA controlled behaviour; self-control.
nounA controlled behaviour; self-control., An enforced compliance or control.
Sentence Examples
School discipline is not as it should be.
The child was completely lacking in discipline.
The school has a reputation for high standards of discipline.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new teacher struggled to maintain ____ in her unruly classroom.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
School ____ is not as it should be.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English [Term?], from Anglo-Norman, from Old French descipline, from Latin disciplina (“instruction”), from discipulus (“pupil”), influenced by disco (“to learn”), from Proto-Indo-European *dek- (“(cause to) accept”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The most perfect, who have their passions in the best discipline, are yet obliged to be constantly on their guard."
— a. 1729, John Rogers, The Difficulties of Obtaining Salvation:
"The masters looked unusually stern, but it was the sternness of thought rather than of discipline."
— 1956, Michael Arlen, “1/1/2”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:
"Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience."
— 1871, Charles John Smith, Synonyms Discriminated:
"Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part, / Obey the rules and discipline of art."
— 1697, Virgil, “The Second Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"giving her the discipline of the strap"
— 1712 October 12 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “WEDNESDAY, October 2, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 499; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume V, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new teacher struggled to maintain ____ in her unruly classroom.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
School ____ is not as it should be.