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Meaning of REIGN

Pronunciation:  reyn

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [n]  royal authority; the dominion of a monarch
  2. [n]  the period during which a monarch is sovereign; "during the reign of Henry VIII"
  3. [n]  a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful; "he was helpless under the reign of his egotism"
  4. [v]  have sovereign power; "Henry VIII reigned for a long time"
  5. [v]  be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
 
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 Synonyms: dominate, predominate, prevail, rule, sovereignty
 
 See Also: dominion, govern, historic period, outbalance, outweigh, overarch, overbalance, override, period, period of time, preponderate, redound, reign of terror, rule, rule, scepter, sceptre, time period

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \Reign\ (r[=a]n), n. [OE. regne, OF. reigne, regne, F.
    r[`e]gne, fr. L. regnum, fr. rex, regis, a king, fr. regere
    to guide, rule. See {Regal}, {Regimen}.]
    1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; rule;
       dominion.
             He who like a father held his reign.  --Pope.
             Saturn's sons received the threefold reign Of
             heaven, of ocean, and deep hell beneath. --Prior.
    2. The territory or sphere which is reigned over; kingdom;
       empire; realm; dominion. [Obs.] --Spenser.
             [God] him bereft the regne that he had. --Chaucer.
    3. The time during which a king, queen, or emperor possesses
       the supreme authority; as, it happened in the reign of
       Elizabeth.
    
  2. \Reign\ (r?n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Reigned} (r?nd); p.
    pr. & vb. n. {Reigning}.] [OE. regnen, reinen, OF. regner, F.
    r['e]gner, fr. L. regnare, fr. regnum. See {Reign}, n.]
    1. To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to
       exercise government, as a king or emperor;; to hold
       supreme power; to rule. --Chaucer.
             We will not have this man to reign over us. --Luke
                                                   xix. 14.
             Shall Banquo's issue ever Reign in this kingdom?
                                                   --Shak.
    2. Hence, to be predominant; to prevail. ``Pestilent diseases
       which commonly reign in summer.'' --Bacon.
    3. To have superior or uncontrolled dominion; to rule.
             Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.
                                                   --Rom. vi. 12.
    Syn: To rule; govern; direct; control; prevail.
    
 
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