n. & v.
n. 1 a control or order exercised over people or animals, esp. children, prisoners, military personnel, church members, etc. b the system of rules used to maintain this control. c the behaviour of groups subjected to such rules (poor discipline in the ranks). 2 a mental, moral, or physical training. b adversity as used to bring about such training (left the course because he couldn't take the discipline). 3 a branch of instruction or learning (philosophy is a hard discipline). 4 punishment. 5 Eccl. mortification by physical self-punishment, esp. scourging.
v.tr. 1 punish, chastise. 2 bring under control by training in obedience; drill. disciplinable adj. disciplinal adj.
[ ME f. OF discipliner or LL & med.L disciplinare, disciplina f. discipulus DISCIPLE ]