govern

 
Pronunciation: /ˈgʌv(ə)n/

verb

[with object]
  • 1conduct the policy, actions, and affairs of (a state, organization, or people) with authority: he was incapable of governing the country (as adjective governing) the governing coalition
  • control, influence, or regulate (a person, action, or course of events): the future of Jamaica will be governed by geography not history
  • (govern oneself) conduct oneself, especially with regard to controlling one’s emotions: he does not have the ability to govern himself or others successfully
  • serve to decide (a legal case).
  • 2 Grammar (of a word) require that (another word or group of words) be in a particular case: the Latin preposition ‘cum’ governs nouns in the ablative

Derivatives

governability

Pronunciation: /-nəˈbɪlɪti/
noun

governable

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French governer, from Latin gubernare 'to steer, rule', from Greek kubernan 'to steer'