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reign

 - 3 dictionary results

reign

  [reyn]
Use reign in a Sentence
–noun
1. the period during which a sovereign occupies the throne.
2. royal rule or authority; sovereignty.
3. dominating power or influence: the reign of law.
–verb (used without object)
4. to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority.
5. to hold the position and name of sovereign without exercising the ruling power.
6. to have control, rule, or influence of any kind.
7. to predominate; be prevalent.
Origin:
1225–75; (n.) ME reine, regne < OF reigne < L rēgnum realm, reign, deriv. of rēg- (s. of rēx) king; (v.) ME reinen, regnen < OF reignier < L rēgnāre, deriv. of rēgnum

Synonyms:
2. dominion, suzerainty. 4. rule, govern, prevail.

Antonyms:
4. obey.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To reign
reign   (rān)   
n.  

  1. Exercise of sovereign power, as by a monarch.

  2. The period during which a monarch rules.

  3. Dominance or widespread influence: the reign of reason.

intr.v.   reigned, reign·ing, reigns

  1. To exercise sovereign power.

  2. To hold the title of monarch, but with limited authority.

  3. To be predominant or prevalent: Panic reigned as the fire spread.


[Middle English reigne, from Old French, from Latin rēgnum, from rēx, rēg-, king; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

reign  (n.)
c.1225, "kingdom," from O.Fr. reigne, from L. regnum "kingship, dominion, rule, realm," related to regere (see regal). Meaning "period of rule" first recorded c.1330. The verb, meaning "to hold or exercise sovereign power," is attested from c.1280, from O.Fr. regner, from L. regnare, from regnum.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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