Ré'gen-cy, n.

n. [Fr. régence, Sp. regencia, It. reggenza, L. Lat. regentia. See REGENT, a.]

1. The office of a regent or ruler; rule; authority; government.
2. Especially, the office, jurisdiction, or dominion of a vicarious ruler; deputed or vicarious government. Sir W. Temple.
3. The body of men intrusted with vicarious government; as, a regency constituted during a king's minority, insanity, or absence from the kingdom.