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Webster 1913 Edition

Govern

Gov′ern

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Governed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Governing
.]
[OF.
governer
, F.
gouverner
, fr. L.
gubernare
to steer, pilot, govern, Gr.
κυβερνᾶν
. 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.
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.)
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
.

Gov′ern

,
Verb.
I.
To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Govern

GOV'ERN

,
Verb.
T.
[L. guberno. The L. guberno seems to be a compound.]
1.
To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority; to keep within the limits prescribed by law or sovereign will. Thus in free states, men are governed by the constitution and laws; in despotic states, men are governed by the edicts or commands of a monarch. Every man should govern well his own family.
2.
To regulate; to influence; to direct. This is the chief point by which he is to govern all his counsels and actions.
3.
To control; to restrain; to keep in due subjection; as, to govern the passions or temper.
4.
To direct; to steer; to regulate the course or motion of a ship. The helm or the helmsman governs the ship.
5.
In grammar, to require to be in a particular case; as, a verb transitive governs a word in the accusative case; or to require a particular case; as, a verb governs the accusative case.

GOV'ERN

,
Verb.
I.
To exercise authority; to administer the laws. The chief magistrate should govern with impartiality.
1.
To maintain the superiority; to have the control.

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