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Regulate - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Regulate : (verb)
1: fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of;
"regulate the temperature"; "modulate the pitch" [syn: modulate]
2: bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage;
impose regulations; "We cannot regulate the way people
dress"; "This town likes to regulate" [syn: regularize,
regularise, order, govern] [ant: deregulate]
3: shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often
determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn: determine,
shape, mold, influence]
4: check the emission of (sound) [syn: baffle]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Regulate : \Reg"u*late\ (-l[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Regulated
(-l[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Regulating.] [L.
regulatus, p. p. of regulare, fr. regula. See Regular.]
1. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct
by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles
or laws.
The laws which regulate the successions of the
seasons. --Macaulay.
The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own
disputes, and regulated their own police.
--Bancroft.
2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state
of a nation or its finances.
3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate,
degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a
room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
To regulate a watch or clock, to adjust its rate of
running so that it will keep approximately standard time.
Syn: To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order;
rule; govern.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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