realm

C1 Topic:Places & Geography

US /rɛːm/ UK /ɹɛlm/ See IPA manual

Freq #6659

Meanings

1

noun
An area of activity, knowledge, or interest.

This question lies in the realm of philosophy rather than science.
2

noun
A kingdom or territory ruled by a king or queen.

The knights swore to defend the realm.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an area of activity,... field province domain

2 noun · a kingdom or territory... kingdom

More country land

Word family

Forms realms

Derived forms interrealmrealmlessrealmlessnessrealmletunderrealmunrealmed

Etymology

From Middle English rewme, realme, reaume, from Old French reaume, realme, reialme (“kingdom”), of unclear origins. A postulated *rēgālimen (“domain, kingdom”), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited. The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology.

*h₃reǵ- Proto-Indo-European rewme Middle English reaume Old French

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Places & Geography

External links

# realm

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /rɛːm/
**IPA (UK):** /ɹɛlm/
**Frequency rank:** 6659

## Meanings
1. An area of activity, knowledge, or interest.
2. A kingdom or territory ruled by a king or queen.

## Examples
- This question lies in the realm of philosophy rather than science.
- The knights swore to defend the realm.

## Synonyms
- country
- kingdom
- land

## Derived Forms
- interrealm
- realmless
- realmlessness
- realmlet
- underrealm
- unrealmed

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *h₃reǵ-
- Root: rewme
- Root: reaume

## Etymology
From Middle English rewme, realme, reaume, from Old French reaume, realme, reialme (“kingdom”), of unclear origins. A postulated *rēgālimen (“domain, kingdom”), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited. The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology.

## AI Etymology
Realm comes from Middle English rewme, realme, reaume, from Old French reaume, realme, reialme (“kingdom”), of unclear origins. A postulated *rēgālimen (“domain, kingdom”), Late Latin or Vulgar Latin cross of regimen with rēgālis is usually cited. The modern spelling predominates from around 1600. The modern pronunciation with /l/ is either a spelling pronunciation or influenced by the etymology. The historical chain includes *h₃reǵ- (Proto-Indo-European), rewme (Middle English), and reaume (Old French). The surrounding word family includes derived forms such as interrealm, realmless, realmlessness, and realmlet. In present use it covers an area of activity, knowledge, or interest and a kingdom or territory ruled by a king or queen.

## Topics
- Places & Geography

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