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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Reign

Reign, n.

noun

(rān), n. [Fr. règne, O. Fr. reigne, raine, Pr. reing, renc, Sp. & Pg. reino, It. regno, Lat. regnum, from rex, regis, a king, from regere, to guide, rule.]

Sense 1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; kingdom; dominion; chief influence or direction. “He who like a father held his reign.” Pope.

Saturn’s sons received the threefold reign Of heaven, of ocean, and deep hell beneath. Prior.

Sense 2. The territory or sphere which is reigned over; kingdom; empire; realm. [Obs. and rare.] Spenser.

Sense 3. The time during which a king, queen, or emperor, possesses the supreme authority.

Reign, v. i.

verbintransitive

(rān), v. i. [imp. & p. p. REIGNED; p. pr. & vb. n. REIGNING.] [Fr. régner, O. Fr. regner, rainer, Pr. regnar, renhar, Sp. & Pg. reinar, It. & Lat. regnare, from Lat. regnum. See infra.] 1. To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; to hold supreme power; to rule. Here we may reign secure. Milton.

  1. Hence, to be predominant; to prevail. “Pestilent diseases, which commonly reign in summer or autumn.” Bacon.
  2. 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.