from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Regulate \Reg"u*late\ (-l[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Regulated}
(-l[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Regulating}.] [L.
regulatus, p. p. of regulare, fr. regula. See {Regular}.]
1. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct
by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles
or laws.
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The laws which regulate the successions of the
seasons. --Macaulay.
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The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own
disputes, and regulated their own police.
--Bancroft.
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2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state
of a nation or its finances.
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3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate,
degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a
room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
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{To regulate a watch} or {To regulate a clock}, to adjust its
rate of running so that it will keep approximately
standard time.
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Syn: To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order;
rule; govern.
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