'Correct' is Latin for 'setstraight' — from 'regere' (to guide), the root of 'rule' and 'regime.'
Definition
Free from error; true, right, accurate. As a verb, to put right an error or fault.
The Full Story
Latin14th centurywell-attested
From Latin 'corrēctus,' past participle of 'corrigere' (to makestraight, to set right, to amend), composed of 'com-' (together, with, intensive prefix) + 'regere' (to guide in a straight line, to rule, to direct). ThePIEroot is *h₃reǵ- (to move in a straight line, to direct, to rule), one of the foundational verbs of governance in the proto-language. It generated: 'regere' (to rule) → 'rex
Did you know?
Thewords 'correct,' 'erect,' 'direct,' 'regime,' 'rectangle,' 'regal,' 'reign,' 'rule,' and even 'right' all come from the same PIE root *h₃reǵ- meaning 'to move in a straight line.' Straightness, rightness, and ruling are etymologically identical — the ruler who makes things straight is both the measuring stick and the king.