The word "regulate" is spelled with a 'g' in the middle, even though it is pronounced with a 'j' sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is /ˈrɛɡjʊleɪt/. This is because the 'g' in this position is usually pronounced with a soft 'j' sound before 'e', 'i' and 'y' in English. This is a common phenomenon called palatalization, where a consonant is pronounced with the tongue against the hard palate of the mouth. So, "regulate" is spelled with a 'g', but the sound is like 'ju'.
Regulate is a transitive verb that refers to the act of controlling, governing, or managing something in accordance with certain rules, standards, or principles. The term commonly denotes the process of setting rules or guidelines to ensure order, safety, fairness, or conformity within a particular context.
In various domains, such as law, finance, or trade, regulation involves establishing and enforcing specific rules or laws that are designed to oversee the behavior of individuals, organizations, or systems. This control mechanism aims to maintain stability, prevent abuses, or ensure compliance with established norms. Regulatory bodies or agencies are often responsible for implementing and monitoring these rules, while also having the authority to penalize any violations or non-compliance.
Beyond legal or institutional domains, the term also encompasses the personal act of regulating one's own behavior or activities. It pertains to the restraint, control, or moderation exerted by an individual in order to maintain equilibrium, discipline, or efficiency in their actions or habits.
Overall, "regulate" denotes the act of establishing, enforcing, or adhering to rules and standards in order to maintain order, control, fair practices, or desired outcomes. It implies the presence of a governing system or authority that supervises and ensures compliance, whether in societal, organizational, personal, or systemic contexts.
To put or keep in good order; to dispose; to arrange; to subject to rules or restrictions.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "regulate" comes from the Latin word "regulatus", which is the past participle of the verb "regulare". "Regulare" is derived from the noun "regula", which means a rule, measure, or straight stick. This, in turn, is related to the Latin verb "regere", meaning to rule or govern. The term "regulate" entered the English language in the late 16th century, retaining its Latin roots and meaning to control or adjust by rule or method.