regi-, reg-, rec-, rex-

(Latin: to direct, to rule, to lead straight, to keep straight; to guide, to govern)

Although it does not appear to be correct, all of the words in this unit etymologically come from this family group. Some words; such as, surge and its related formats, may be presented as separate units; however, they originally evolved from this family unit.

directness (s) (noun), directnesses (pl)
A process of doing something without deviation or any interruptions: The directness of Mrs. Blackwell's instructions for taking the math test were important so her students would know exactly how to proceed.
director (s) (noun), directors (pl)
1. An individual who has been chosen to be in charge of an organization, a department, or of an activity: Mr. Black was appointed to be the funeral director in the funeral home in the small town.
2. One of the members of a committee who watches over the proceedings or transactions of a business or of something of public interest: There is evidently some friction and misunderstanding between the shareholders and the board of directors in the business that is located in the town where Joan lives.
3. Someone who is in charge of a camera crew, staff for a movie, the actors for a television program, a drama, or for comparable productions: Not only was Jackie the director of the play, but she also wrote it herself!

Janet, who had a lot of experience in stage productions, was the assistant director for the musical that was going to be put on by and for the students at the local high school.

directory (s) (noun), directories (pl)
An index or a listing: Janice had to look in the telephone directory in order to find the phone number of the mechanical repair and service station near where she lived.
directrix (s) (noun), directrixes; directrices (pl)
1. A fixed line used in describing a curve or a surface: A directrix is a specific line used in constructing a curve or conic section, the distance from the line divided by the distance from a set point being identical for all points on the figure.
2. A woman who directs; directress: Mrs. Hathaway, the directrix of the firm, was respected by all of the workers, regardless of age, gender, or race.
dirge (s) (noun), dirges (pl)
1. A sad or heavy-hearted piece of music performed, or a poem recited as a tribute to a dead person: A mournful dirge was played at the funeral of Mary's father.
2. A dismal song or melody: Jenny wanted to compose a dirge on the piano because she felt so sad that day.
Dirige, Domine, Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam. (Latin statement)
Translation: "Direct, O Lord, my God, my way in thy sight."

Old Testament Bible, Psalm 5:9.

dirigibility (s) (noun) (no pl)
The quality of being directed, controlled, or steered: In a book, Sam read about an airship that was noted for its dirigibility and was self-propelled.
dirigible (s) (noun), dirigibles (pl)
1. A steerable, self-propelled airship: A dirigible is an aircraft that is lighter than air, powered, and navigable, such as a blimp or a zeppelin.
2. Etymology: From French dirigeable; literally, "capable of being directed" or "guided," from Latin dirigere; from dis-, "apart" + regere, "to guide".
dress (s) (noun), dresses (pl)
An outer garment normally worn by women or girls: Maria's daughter wore a beautiful dress to the school prom.
dress (verb), dresses; dressed; dressing
To put clothes on; to clothe oneself or another person: The children had to dress so they could go to school.
dresser (s) (noun), dressers (pl)
1. An upright piece of funiture with drawers and usually including a mirror:: The was a lovely dresser for socks and underwear and two twin beds in the bedroom at grandmother's house.
2. A cupboard for dishes and cooking utensils: There was an antique dresser in Carol's kitchen for putting away her pots, pans, silverware, etc.
3. A person who is employed to clothe and adorn others: Mrs. Tall was so happy to have a job as a dresser at the local theater where she had to get special outfits ready to put on the actors and make sure they fit well.
dressy (adjective), dressier, dressiest
Stylish; elegant: At the wedding, all the guests had on formal outfits and were all very dressy!

The reception afterwards was very elaborate, classy, dressy, and rather showy.

erect (i REKT) (verb), erects; erected; erecting
1. To design and to assemble an upright structure, such as a building or a wall: The constructors erected a motel in the city according to the instructions of the architect and the owner.
2. To develop or to establish a system or theory: Sometimes economic barriers are erected in order to secure a stable price for a certain product, even if it means to curb the productivity and sales of that merchandise.
erectile (i REK tuhl, i REK til") (adjective), more erectile, most erectile
1. Relating to that which is capable of being raised to an upright position: A peacock can put up its beautiful erectile tail feathers to provide a splendid fan of many different colors for the visitors in a zoo!
2. A reference to or pertaining to bodily tissues that are capable of filling with blood and becoming rigid: Peter, the medical student, learned that some areas of a body have erectile parts which are firm when the life-saving fluid of a person penetrates them.
erection (i REK shuhn) (s) (noun), erections (pl)
The construction of a building as it is assembled or put together: All the people of the village gathered together to view the raising, or erection, of the new community center.

Cross references of word families related directly, or indirectly, to: "master, lead, leading, ruler, ruling, govern": -agogic; agon-; arch-; -crat; dom-; gov-; magist-; poten-; tyran-.