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discipline Definition

dis·ci·pline (dis′ə plin′, -plən)

noun

  1. a branch of knowledge or learning
    1. training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency
    2. strict control to enforce obedience
  3. the result of such training or control; specif.,
    1. self-control or orderly conduct
    2. acceptance of or submission to authority and control
  4. a system of rules, as for a church or monastic order
  5. treatment that corrects or punishes

Etymology: ME < OFr descepline < L disciplina < discipulus: see disciple

transitive verb -·plined′, -·plin′·ing

  1. to subject to discipline; train; control
  2. to punish

discipline Related Forms
dis′·ci·plin′·able adjective dis′·ci·plin′al adjective dis′·ci·plin′er noun
discipline Synonyms

discipline

n.

  1. A state of order or control

    orderliness, order, control, self-control, restraint, self-restraint, moderation, self-discipline, obedience, decorum, subordination to rules of conduct, system, method, methodicalness, rigor, spit and polish*.

  2. A system of obedience

    training, drill, drilling, regimentation, regulation, limitation, curb, indoctrination, brainwashing, preparation, development, exercise, inculcation, regimen, strictness, tight rein, firm hand, iron hand, chastisement, correction; see also drill 3, punishment, training.

discipline Synonyms

discipline

v.

  1. To regulate

    train, control, drill, keep in line; see restrain 1, teach 2.

  2. To punish

    chastise, correct, limit; see punish. See syn. study at punish.

discipline Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • anthropology: The relationships between fieldwork, text production and the discipline of anthropology have, then, developed over time.
  • economics: The EEM course integrates the important disciplines of economics and management with engineering.

Converse of object

  • ally: It also vindicates the theoretical work undertaken in archeology and allied disciplines over the last ten to fifteen years.
  • impose: Neither fascism nor mass unemployment could be used to impose discipline over labor.
  • emerge: This emerging discipline has been given renewed impetus with the announcement of the 2012 Olympics.
  • span: This work is supported by skilled teams of researchers spanning the disciplines of general practice, nursing, psychology, anthropology and epidemiology.
  • encompass: A key element in the module is its interdisciplinary approach, encompassing the disciplines of history, archeology, literature, religion and onomastics.
  • restore: I will act on behalf of the parents, teachers and children forgotten by Mr Blair, to restore discipline and respect in classrooms.

Adjective modifier

  • related: Suitable candidate will have at least an HNC in a related discipline.
  • academic: One concerns the way in which academic disciplines now operate.
  • cognate: Admission criteria: Students are normally required to have a 2.1 or better in Politics or a cognate discipline at first degree level.
  • scientific: This list shows all the scientific disciplines which are involved.
  • strict: The work of the League of Struggle was organized on principles of centralism and strict discipline.
  • relevant: Education should be to 1st degree level or above in a relevant discipline.

Noun used with modifier

  • engineering: The MSc course at Loughborough gives us the opportunity to recruit from other engineering disciplines.
  • humanity: Certainly there must be freedom to frame the law as a humanities discipline and not solely as a branch of social science.
  • science: Students should have educational qualifications in a physical science discipline or demonstrable work experience in any of these areas.
  • multi: Richmond & Zetland Harriers Sports club involved in road running, track and field, fell running and multi discipline.
  • underwriting: Make sure we baseball's mariners play from underwriting discipline.
  • degree: Estimates put it that the number of jobs open to students from any degree discipline at upwards of 50 % .
discipline Quotes

Inveni fateor in rege monachum, claustrum in curia, in palatio monasterii disciplinam. I confess that I found in the king a monk, in the court a cloister, and in the palace the discipline of a monastery.

—St Aelred of Riveaulx   d.1167

Certainly wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity; and single men, though they be many times more charitable, because their means are less exhaust, yet†they are more cruel and hardhearted (good to make severe inquisitors), becausetheir tenderness isnot so oft called upon.

—Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

Let usnever toleratetheslightest inroad onthe discipline of our holy Church. Let us never consent that she should be made the hireling of the Ministry. Our forefathers would have diedönay, perished in hopeless slaveryörather than consent to such degradation.

—O'Connell, Daniel known as  the Liberator

Reasonable orders are easy enough to obey; it is capricious, bureaucratic or plain idiotic demands that form the habit of discipline.

—Tuchman, BarbaraW(ertheim)

Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly† Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.

—Miller, Henry Valentine

Nature's stern discipline enjoins mutual help at least as often as warfare. The fittest mayalso be the gentlest.

—Dobzhansky,Theodosius G

In a world where it is so easy to neglect, deny, pervert and suppress the truth, the scientist may find his discipline severe. For him, truth is so seldom the sudden lightthat showsneworderand beauty; more often, truth is the uncharted rock that sinks his ship in the dark.

—Cornforth, SirJohnWarcup

It would be a curious reading of the history of thought to suggest that the absence of disagreement testifies to a developing discipline.

—Merton, Robert King