Régime, n.

(rāʹ/zhēmʹ), n. [Fr. régime, Pr. regisme, regesme, regeme, Sp. regimen. See infra.] Mode or style of rule or management; character of government; administration.

The ancient régime, or ancien régime, the former political and social system, as distinguished from the modern; old-time style or society; especially, in France, the political system existing before the revolution of 1789.