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| gov·ern [ gúvvərn ] (past and past participle gov·erned, present participle gov·ern·ing, 3rd person present singular gov·erns) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb have political authority: to be responsible officially for directing the affairs, policies, and economy of a state, country, or organization
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2. transitive verb control something: to control, regulate, or direct something
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3. transitive verb have influence over something: to have or exercise an influence over something
 issues that govern the final settlement
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4. transitive verb restrain something: to control something by restraint
(
formal
)
 unable to govern her emotions
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5. transitive verb mechanical engineering control speed of engine: to maintain the speed of an engine or keep it from going above a specific level by controlling the fuel or steam supply
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6. transitive verb law be law for something: to be the defining rule for something
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7. transitive verb grammar determine form of word: to dictate the inflection, mood, or case of another word
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| [13th century. Via Old French governer and Latin gubernare< Greek kubernan "steer"] |
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 gov·ern·a·ble adjective |
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