Gov"ern , v. i. To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control. Dryden.
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.
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.
Hear it pronounced