Regulate

//ˈɹɛɡjəleɪt// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To dictate policy.
  2. 2
    restrain the emission of (sound, fluid, etc.) wordnet
  3. 3
    To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.

    "the laws which regulate the succession of the seasons"

  4. 4
    fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of wordnet
  5. 5
    To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.

    "to regulate a watch, i.e. adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately standard time"

Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    shape or influence; give direction to wordnet
  2. 7
    To put or maintain in order.

    "to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances"

  3. 8
    bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations wordnet

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin regulatus, perfect passive participle of regulō (“to direct, rule, regulate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from regula (“rule”), from regō (“to keep straight, direct, govern, rule”). Compare regle, rail. Displaced native Old English metegian.

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