Category:Govern

Gov"ern, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Governed; p. pr. & vb. n. Governing.] Etym: [OF. governer, F. gouverner, fr. L. gubernare to steer, pilot, govern, Gr. Gubernatorial.]

1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority. "Fit to govern and rule multitudes." Shak.

2. To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to manage; as, to govern the life; to govern a horse. Govern well thy appetite. Milton.

3. (Gram.)

Defn: To require to be in a particular case; as, a transitive verb governs a noun in the objective case; or to require (a particular case); as, a transitive verb governs the objective case.

govern Gov"ern, v. i.

Defn: To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control. Dryden.