Discipline

Discipline Dis`ci*pline, n. [F. discipline, L. disciplina, from discipulus. See {Disciple}.] 1. The treatment suited to a disciple or learner; education; development of the faculties by instruction and exercise; training, whether physical, mental, or moral. [1913 Webster]

Wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience. --C. J. Smith. [1913 Webster]

2. Training to act in accordance with established rules; accustoming to systematic and regular action; drill. [1913 Webster]

Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part, Obey the rules and discipline of art. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience. [1913 Webster]

The most perfect, who have their passions in the best discipline, are yet obliged to be constantly on their guard. --Rogers. [1913 Webster]

4. Severe training, corrective of faults; instruction by means of misfortune, suffering, punishment, etc. [1913 Webster]

A sharp discipline of half a century had sufficed to educate us. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

5. Correction; chastisement; punishment inflicted by way of correction and training. [1913 Webster]

Giving her the discipline of the strap. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

6. The subject matter of instruction; a branch of knowledge. --Bp. Wilkins. [1913 Webster]

7. (Eccl.) The enforcement of methods of correction against one guilty of ecclesiastical offenses; reformatory or penal action toward a church member. [1913 Webster]

8. (R. C. Ch.) Self-inflicted and voluntary corporal punishment, as penance, or otherwise; specifically, a penitential scourge. [1913 Webster]

9. (Eccl.) A system of essential rules and duties; as, the Romish or Anglican discipline.

Syn: Education; instruction; training; culture; correction; chastisement; punishment. [1913 Webster]