con·trol (k n-tr l )tr.v. con·trolled, con·trol·ling, con·trols 1. To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over; direct. See Synonyms at conduct. 2. To adjust to a requirement; regulate: controlled trading on the stock market; controls the flow of water. 3. To hold in restraint; check: struggled to control my temper. 4. To reduce or prevent the spread of: control insects; controlled the fire by dousing it with water. 5. a. To verify or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or by comparing with another standard. b. To verify (an account, for example) by using a duplicate register for comparison. n. 1. Authority or ability to manage or direct: lost control of the skidding car; the leaders in control of the country. 2. a. One that controls; a controlling agent, device, or organization. b. An instrument or set of instruments used to operate, regulate, or guide a machine or vehicle. Often used in the plural. 3. A restraining device, measure, or limit; a curb: a control on prices; price controls. 4. a. A standard of comparison for checking or verifying the results of an experiment. b. An individual or group used as a standard of comparison in a control experiment. 5. An intelligence agent who supervises or instructs another agent. 6. A spirit presumed to speak or act through a medium. [Middle English controllen, from Anglo-Norman contreroller, from Medieval Latin contr  rotulre, to check by duplicate register, from contrrotulus, duplicate register : Latin contr-, contra- + Latin rotulus, roll, diminutive of rota, wheel; see ret- in Indo-European roots.]con·trol  la·bili·ty n.con·trol la·ble adj.con·trol la·bly adv. |
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