control

con•trol

[[t]kənˈtroʊl[/t]] v. -trolled, -trol•ling, n.

1) to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate, regulate, or command

2) to hold in check; curb:

to control one's emotions[/ex]

3) to test or verify (a scientific experiment) by a parallel experiment or other standard of comparison

4) to prevent the flourishing or spread of:

to control a forest fire[/ex]

5) to exercise control

6) the act or power of controlling; regulation; domination or command:

Who's in control here?[/ex]

7) check or restraint:

My anger was under control[/ex]

8) a legal or official means of regulation or restraint:

wage and price controls; gun control[/ex]

9)

a) a standard of comparison in scientific experimentation

b) lab med a person or subject that serves in such a comparison

10) a person who acts as a check; controller

11) mac a device for regulating, guiding, or directing the operation of a machine, apparatus, or vehicle

12) mac controls, a coordinated arrangement of such devices

13) prevention of the flourishing of something undesirable:

rodent control[/ex]

14) a spiritual agency believed to assist a medium at a séance

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Etymology: 1425–75; late ME co(u)ntrollen (v.) < AF contreroller to keep a duplicate account or roll, der. of contrerolle (n.) con•trol′la•ble, adj. n. con•trol`la•bil′i•ty, n. con•trol′la•bly, adv. syn: See authority