Dictionary Information: Definition Control - Description Meaning Thesaurus

Control (Con*trol") (?), 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.

Control (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.

Synonyms -- To restrain; rule; govern; manage; guide; regulate; hinder; direct; check; curb; counteract; subdue.