Control - Definition

n 1: power to direct or determine; "under control"
2: a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or
group) by another; "measures for the control of disease";
"they instituted controls over drinking on campus"
3: (physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or
action or reflex etc; "the timing and control of his
movements were unimpaired"; "he had lost control of his
sphincters"
4: a standard against which other conditions can be compared in
a scientific experiment; "the control condition was
inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw" [syn:
control condition, control]
5: the activity of managing or exerting control over something;
"the control of the mob by the police was admirable"
6: the state that exists when one person or group has power over
another; "her apparent dominance of her husband was really
her attempt to make him pay attention to her" [syn:
dominance, ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy,
ascendency, control]
7: discipline in personal and social activities; "he was a model
of polite restraint"; "she never lost control of herself"
[syn: restraint, control] [ant: unrestraint]
8: great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;
"a good command of French" [syn: command, control,
mastery]
9: a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the
speed controller on his turntable was not working properly";
"I turned the controls over to her" [syn: control,
controller]
10: a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium
during a seance
11: the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing
prices or wages etc.; "they wanted to repeal all the
legislation that imposed economic controls"
v 1: exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the
budget"; "Command the military forces" [syn: control,
command]
2: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold
your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger" [syn:
control, hold in, hold, contain, check, curb,
moderate]
3: handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after
imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever" [syn: operate,
control]
4: control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually
to one's advantage; "She manipulates her boss"; "She is a
very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow
up"; "The teacher knew how to keep the class in line"; "she
keeps in line" [syn: manipulate, keep in line, control]
5: check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a
parallel experiment or comparing with another standard; "Are
you controlling for the temperature?" [syn: control,
verify]
6: verify by using a duplicate register for comparison; "control
an account"
7: be careful or certain to do something; make certain of
something; "He verified that the valves were closed"; "See
that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the
product" [syn: see, check, insure, see to it,
ensure, control, ascertain, assure]
8: have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of; "Do
you control these data?" [syn: master, control]