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"
5. the activity of managing or exerting control over something;"the control of the mob by the police was admirable"
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"
7. discipline in personal and social activities;"he was a model of polite restraint""she never lost control of herself"
8. great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity;"a good command of French"
9. the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.;"they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls"
10. 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"
11. a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium during a seance
1. exercise authoritative control or power over;"control the budget""Command the military forces"
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"
3. handle and cause to function;"do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol""control the lever"
4. control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage;"She manipulates her boss""She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up""The teacher knew how to keep the class in line""she keeps in line"
5. verify or regulate by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard, of scientific experiments;"Are you controlling for the temperature?"
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"
8. have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of;"Do you control these data?"