control

control [kən trōl′]

vt.

controlled, controlling [ME countrollen < Anglo-Fr contreroller < Fr contrerole < ML contrarotulus, a counter, register < L contra, against + rotulus: see ROLL]

1. Obs. to check or verify (payments, accounts, etc.) by comparison with a duplicate register

2. to regulate (financial affairs)

3. to verify (an experiment) by comparison with a standard or by other experiments

4. to exercise authority over; direct; command

5. to operate or regulate [this knob controls the volume of sound]

6. to hold back; curb; restrain [control your grief]

n.

1. the act or fact of controlling; power to direct or regulate; ability to use effectively [her control over her passions, the violinist's control of his vibrato]

2. the condition of being directed or restrained; restraint [the car went out of control]

3. a means of controlling; check [wage and price controls]

4. a standard of comparison for verifying or checking the findings of an experiment; specif., such a standard obtained by withholding the substance, treatment, drug, etc. being tested

5.

a) an instrument or apparatus to regulate a mechanism usually used in pl.

b) a device used to adjust or control [the volume control on an amplifier]

6. a spirit supposed to direct the actions and speech of a spiritualistic medium

SYN.- CONDUCT, POWER

controllability

n.

controllable

adj.