01 v. t. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws.
imp. & p. p.
Regulated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Regulating
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1.
To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws.“The laws which regulate the successions of the seasons.” — Macaulay.“The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police.” — Bancroft.
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2.
To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances.
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3.
To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate, degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
Phrases & compounds
To regulate a watch —
to adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately standard time.