Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Reign
Reign
(rān)
, Noun.
1.
Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; rule; dominion.
He who like a father held his
reign
. Pope.
Saturn’s sons received the threefold
Of heaven, of ocean, and deep hell beneath.
reign
Of heaven, of ocean, and deep hell beneath.
Prior.
2.
The territory or sphere which is reigned over; kingdom; empire; realm; dominion.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
[God] him bereft the
regne
that he had. Chaucer.
3.
The time during which a king, queen, or emperor possesses the supreme authority;
as, it happened in the
. reign
of ElizabethReign
(r?n)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Reigned
(r?nd)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Reigning
.] 1.
To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to exercise government, as a king or emperor;; to hold supreme power; to rule.
Chaucer.
We will not have this man to
reign
over us. Luke xix. 14.
Shall Banquo's issue ever
Reign
in this kingdom? Shakespeare
2.
Hence, to be predominant; to prevail.
“Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer.” Bacon.
3.
To have superior or uncontrolled dominion; to rule.
Let not sin therefore
reign
in your mortal body. Rom. vi. 12.
Syn. – To rule; govern; direct; control; prevail.
Webster 1828 Edition
Reign
REIGN
,Verb.
I.
1.
To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to rule; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; or to hold the supreme power. George the third reigned over Great Britain more than fifty years.Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness. Is. 32.
2.
To be predominant; to prevail.Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer or autumn.
3.
To rule; to have superior or uncontrolled dominion. Romans 6.[This word is never applied to the exercise of supreme power by a legislative body or the executive administration, in the United States.]
REIGN
,Noun.
1.
Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty.He who like a father held his reign.
2.
The time during which a king, queen or emperor possesses the supreme authority. The Spanish armada was equipped to invade England in the reign of queen Elizabeth. Magna Charta was obtained in the reign of king John.3.
Kingdom; dominion.Saturn's sons received the threefold reign of heav'n, of ocean, and deep hell beneath.
4.
Power; influence.5.
Prevalence.