from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Govern \Gov"ern\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Governed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Governing}.] [OF. governer, F. gouverner, fr. L.
gubernare to steer, pilot, govern, Gr. kyberna^n. Cf.
{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.
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2. To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to
manage; as, to govern the life; to govern a horse.
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Govern well thy appetite. --Milton.
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3. (Gram.) 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.
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