Gōv'ern1, v. t.
(gŭv'ern), v. t. [imp. & p. p. GOVERNED; p. pr. & vb. n. GOVERNING.] [Fr. gouverner, Pr. & Pg. governar, Sp. gobernar, It. governare, Lat. gubernare, Gr. κυβερνᾶν.]
Sense 1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority; to keep within the limits prescribed by law or sovereign will.
Not fit to govern and rule multitudes. Shak.
Sense 2. To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to manage; as, to govern the life or the passions; to govern the motion of a ship.
Govern well thy appetite. Milton.
Sense 3. (Gram.) To require to be in a particular case; as, a verb transitive governs a word in the accusative case; or to require a particular case; as, a verb governs the accusative case.