dis|ci|pline

dis|ci|pline «DIHS uh plihn», noun, verb, -plined, -plin|ing.

–n.

1. training, especially training of the mind or character: »

Children who have had no discipline are often hard to teach.

2. the training effect of experience, misfortune, or other happenings: »

The discipline of his early hardships contributed to his success.

3. a trained condition of order and obedience: »

Learning a language imposes a discipline on the mind.

4. order kept among school pupils, soldiers, or members of any group: »

When the fire broke out, the students showed good discipline.

5. a particular system of rules for conduct: »

The discipline of a military school is usually strict.

6. punishment; chastisement: »

A little discipline would do him good.

7. a branch of instruction or education: »

Both Latin and mathematics are disciplines that require an analytical approach.

8. methods or rules for regulating the conduct of members of a church.

9. control exercised over members of a church.

–v.t.

1. to train; bring to a condition of order and obedience; bring under control: »

An officer must know how to discipline the untrained recruits.

2. to punish; chastise: »

You ought to discipline that rude boy for bad behavior.

╂[< Latin disciplīna < discipulus; see etym. under disciple (Cf. ↑disciple)]