So, government comes from the term govern, from the Old French word governer, which was derived from Latin gubernare (to direct, rule, guide, govern), which in turn was originally derived from the Greek word kybernan (to pilot a ship).
The suffix ‘-ment’ can come from one of two places. In one case, it’s derived from the latin mente meaning mind. Words deriving from mente generally have the suffix -wise or -ly and are adverbs. The other case is from mentum (instrument or medium). It is this second sense that was imported into English and which is used in government.
In English, -ment means: the means or result of an action. Per multiple sources, -ment is derived from the Latin mentum via Old French. For example, the Online Etymological Dictionary spells it out clearly.
In other words, “government” could be be said to mean, “the means or result of rule or guidance”. NOT “mind control”. (but who knows, rights?)
The suffix ‘-ment’ can come from one of two places. In one case, it’s derived from the latin mente meaning mind. Words deriving from mente generally have the suffix -wise or -ly and are adverbs. The other case is from mentum (instrument or medium). It is this second sense that was imported into English and which is used in government.
In English, -ment means: the means or result of an action. Per multiple sources, -ment is derived from the Latin mentum via Old French. For example, the Online Etymological Dictionary spells it out clearly.
In other words, “government” could be be said to mean, “the means or result of rule or guidance”. NOT “mind control”. (but who knows, rights?)