Reg"u*late (-lāt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Regulated (- lā`t&ebreve;d);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Regulating.]
[L. regulatus, p. p. of
regulare, fr. regula. See Regular.] 1. To adjust by
rule, method, or established mode; to direct by
rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or
laws.
The laws which regulate the successions of the seasons.
Macaulay.
The herdsmen near
the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police.
Bancroft. 2. To put in good order; as, to
regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances.
3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a
desired rate, degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
To
regulate a watch or clock, to adjust its rate of running so that it will
keep approximately standard time.
Syn. -- To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order; rule; govern.
Hear it pronounced