Control

Con·trol′ (kŏn·trōl′), n. [F. contrôle a counter register, contr. fr. contr-rôle; contre (L. contra) + rôle roll, catalogue. See Counter and Roll, and cf. Counterroll.] 1. A duplicate book, register, or account, kept to correct or check another account or register; a counter register. [Obs.] Johnson.

2. That which serves to check, restrain, or hinder; restraint. "Speak without control." Dryden.

3. Power or authority to check or restrain; restraining or regulating influence; superintendence; government; as, children should be under parental control.

The House of Commons should exercise a control over all the departments of the executive administration. Macaulay.

Board of control. See under Board.

Con·trol′, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Controlled; p. pr. & vb. n. Controlling.] [F. contrôler, fr. contrôle.] [Formerly written comptrol and controul.] 1. To check by a counter register or duplicate account; to prove by counter statements; to confute. [Obs.]

This report was controlled to be false. Fuller.

2. To exercise restraining or governing influence over; to check; to counteract; to restrain; to regulate; to govern; to overpower.

Give me a staff of honor for mine age, But not a scepter to control the world. Shak.

I feel my virtue struggling in my soul: But stronger passion does its power control. Dryden.

Syn. — To restrain; rule; govern; manage; guide; regulate; hinder; direct; check; curb; counteract; subdue.