Gov″ern (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Governed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Governing.] [OF. governer, F. gouverner, fr. L. gubernare to steer, pilot, govern, Gr. κυβερνα̑ν. Cf. Gubernatorial.] 1. To direct and control, as the actions or conduct of men, either by established laws or by arbitrary will; to regulate by authority. “Fit to govern and rule multitudes.” Shak.
2. To regulate; to influence; to direct; to restrain; to manage; as, to govern the life; to govern a horse.
Govern well thy appetite. Milton.
3. (Gram.) To require to be in a particular case; as, a transitive verb governs a noun in the objective case; or to require (a particular case); as, a transitive verb governs the objective case.