domine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, archaic, formal.
Quick answer
What does “domine” mean?
To rule, dominate, or control.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To rule, dominate, or control; to be the most influential or powerful element.
In archaic or literary use, also to act as a domineering master; to tower over something physically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Neither variant uses 'domine' as a standard verb today. The archaic form is equally obsolete in both dialects. The modern verb 'dominate' is used identically.
Connotations
'Domine' carries a distinctly archaic, possibly Latin-influenced or poetic connotation when encountered.
Frequency
Extremely rare to non-existent in contemporary usage; found only in historical contexts or deliberate archaisms.
Grammar
How to Use “domine” in a Sentence
[Subject] + domine + over + [Object] (archaic)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “domine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old lords would domine over the peasantry.
- She sought not to domine, but to persuade.
American English
- The tall pines domine the landscape of the valley.
- His ambition was to domine the fledgling industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical analysis of texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “domine”
- Using 'domine' in modern writing instead of 'dominate'.
- Pronouncing it as /dəˈmaɪn/ like 'domino'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an obsolete, archaic spelling of the verb now standardly written as 'dominate'. It is not used in contemporary English outside of historical or poetic contexts.
No. Using archaic or obsolete words can lower your score for lexical resource. Always use the modern standard form 'dominate'.
For reading comprehension of older English texts (e.g., 16th-18th century) and to understand the etymology and evolution of the word 'dominate'.
Both share the Latin root 'dominari' (to rule). 'Dominant' is the adjective form that survived and thrived, while the verb form 'domine' became obsolete, replaced by 'dominate'.
To rule, dominate, or control.
Domine is usually literary, archaic, formal. in register.
Domine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒm.ɪ.neɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑː.mə.neɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'domine'; modern idioms use 'dominate'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DOMINE sounds like 'DOMINATE' but missing the 'AT', making it an incomplete, older form of the word.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS UP / CONTROL IS HOLDING.
Practice
Quiz
'Domine' is best described as: