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Webster 1913 Edition


Regulate

Reg′u-late

(-lāt)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Regulated
(-lāˊtĕd)
;
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
To regulate a 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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Regulate

REG'ULATE

, v.t.
1.
To adjust by rule, method or established mode; as, to regulate weights and measures; to regulate the assize of bread; to regulate our moral conduct by the laws of God and of society; to regulate our manners by the customary forms.
2.
To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances.
3.
To subject to rules or restrictions; as, to regulate trade; to regulate diet.

Definition 2024


regulate

regulate

English

Verb

regulate (third-person singular simple present regulates, present participle regulating, simple past and past participle regulated)

  1. To dictate policy.
  2. To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.
    • Macaulay
      the laws which regulate the successions of the seasons
    • Bancroft
      The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police.
  3. To adjust to a particular specification or requirement: regulate temperature.
  4. 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
    to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
  5. To put or maintain in order.
    to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances
    to regulate one's eating habits

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

External links

  • regulate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • regulate in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Latin

Verb

rēgulāte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of rēgulō