control
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}]
5: the activity of managing or exerting control over something;
"the control of the mob by the police was admirable" [syn:
{controlling}]
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}]
7: discipline in personal and social activities; "he was a
model of polite restraint"; "she never lost control of
herself" [syn: {restraint}] [ant: {unrestraint}]
8: great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or
activity; "a good command of French" [syn: {command}, {mastery}]
9: a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the
speed control on his turntable was not working properly";
"I turned the controls over to her" [syn: {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: {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: {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}]
4: influence skilfully to one's advantage; "She manipulates her
boss"; "She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let
her children grow up" [syn: {manipulate}]
5: verify or regulate by conducting a parallel experiment or
comparing with another standard, of scientific
experiments: "Are you controlling for the temperature?"
[syn: {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},
{ascertain}, {assure}]
8: have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of; "Do
you control these data?" [syn: {master}]