n.
v. t.
Govern well thy appetite. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To exercise authority; to administer the laws; to have the control. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Governableness. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Cf. F. gouvernable. ] Capable of being governed, or subjected to authority; controllable; manageable; obedient. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The quality of being governable; manageableness.
n. [ F. gouvernance. ] Exercise of authority; control; government; arrangement. Chaucer. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. gouvernante. See Govern. ] A governess. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. OF. governeresse. See Governor. ] A female governor; a woman invested with authority to control and direct; especially, one intrusted with the care and instruction of children, -- usually in their homes. [ 1913 Webster ]