Regnant

Yep, you read it right - regnant - not pregnant.

So what does regnant mean - no it's not what happens to people when they produce offspring. Regnant is to exercise authority or rule.

The following is the official dictionary description of the word:
[reg-nuh nt]

–adjective

1. reigning; ruling (usually used following the noun it modifies): a queen regnant.

2. exercising authority, rule, or influence.

3. prevalent; widespread.

Origin:

1590–1600;  < Latin rēgnant-  (stem of rēgnāns ), present participle of regnāre  to rule; see reign, -ant

—Related forms

reg·nan·cy, noun

I'm not sure what attracted me to this word as the meaning and origin of the word is really not anything all that interesting. I think it's just the fact that the word is pregnant with the "p" removed. Interesting how adding a "p" to the beginning of this word completely changes it's meaning.

  

 

REGNANT