Gov·ern v. t. [imp. & p. p. Governed p. pr. & vb. n. Governing.]
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.”
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·ing, a.
1. Holding the superiority; prevalent; controlling; as, a governing wind; a governing party in a state.
2. Gram. Requiring a particular case.
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governing
adj : responsible for making and enforcing rules and laws;
"governing bodies"
n : the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for
the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable
experience of government" [syn: government, governance,
government activity]