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control

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Control is defined as to command, restrain, or manage.

(verb)

An example of control is telling your dog to sit.
An example of control is keeping your dog on a leash.
An example of control is managing all the coordination of a party.

The definition of control is power to direct, or an accepted comparison model in an experiment, or a device used for regulation.

(noun)

An example of control is someone knowing exactly where everything is located in their house.
An example of a control is a chemical drug used in a urine drug testing lab.
An example of a control is a volume knob on a stereo.

See control in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb controlled, controlling

Obsolete to check or verify (payments, accounts, etc.) by comparison with a duplicate register
to regulate (financial affairs)
to verify (an experiment) by comparison with a standard or by other experiments
to exercise authority over; direct; command
to operate or regulate: this knob controls the volume of sound
to hold back; curb; restrain: control your grief

Origin: ME countrollen < Anglo-Fr contreroller < Fr contrerole < ML contrarotulus, a counter, register < L contra, against + rotulus: see roll

noun

the act or fact of controlling; power to direct or regulate; ability to use effectively: her control over her passions, the violinist's control of his vibrato
the condition of being directed or restrained; restraint: the car went out of control
a means of controlling; check: wage and price controls
a standard of comparison for verifying or checking the findings of an experiment; specif., such a standard obtained by withholding the substance, treatment, drug, etc. being tested
1. an instrument or apparatus to regulate a mechanism: usually used in pl.
2. a device used to adjust or control: the volume control on an amplifier
a spirit supposed to direct the actions and speech of a spiritualistic medium

Related Forms:

controllability noun
controllable adjective

See control in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb con·trolled, con·trol·ling, con·trols

To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over; direct. See Synonyms at conduct.
To adjust to a requirement; regulate: controlled trading on the stock market; controls the flow of water.
To hold in restraint; check: struggled to control my temper.
To reduce or prevent the spread of: control insects; controlled the fire by dousing it with water.
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.

noun

Authority or ability to manage or direct: lost control of the skidding car; the leaders in control of the country.
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.
A restraining device, measure, or limit; a curb: a control on prices; price controls.
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.
An intelligence agent who supervises or instructs another agent.
A spirit presumed to speak or act through a medium.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English controllen

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman contreroller

Origin: , from Medieval Latin contrārotulāre, to check by duplicate register

Origin: , from contrārotulus, duplicate register

Origin: : Latin contrā-, contra-

Origin: + Latin rotulus, roll

Origin: , diminutive of rota, wheel; see ret- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: