Where does “Regulus” come from?

Regulus comes from Latin regulus, a diminutive formation from Latin rex (king), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ-, meaning to rule or direct.

Regulus (English): A star in the constellation Leo; alpha (α) Leonis

Definitions

  1. A star in the constellation Leo; alpha (α) Leonis

Ancestry of “Regulus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinRegulusThe star α Leonis in the constellation Leo
2Latinrēxking, ruler
3Proto-Italicrēksking
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃rḗǵsking, ruler
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₃reǵ-to straighten, to right oneself; right; just
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₃rḗǵs →Every word from Proto-Italic rēks →
Regulus — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer