reign
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.
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Reign
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| chat, to converse |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Origin:
1225–75; (noun) Middle English reine, regne < Old French reigne < Latin rēgnum realm, reign, derivative of rēg- (stem of rēx) king; (v.) Middle English reinen, regnen < Old French reignier < Latin rēgnāre, derivative of rēgnum
1225–75; (noun) Middle English reine, regne < Old French reigne < Latin rēgnum realm, reign, derivative of rēg- (stem of rēx) king; (v.) Middle English reinen, regnen < Old French reignier < Latin rēgnāre, derivative of rēgnum
Related forms
in·ter·reign, verb (used without object)
non·reign·ing, adjective
out·reign, verb (used with object)
un·reign·ing, adjective
Synonyms
2. dominion, suzerainty. 4. rule, govern, prevail.
2. dominion, suzerainty. 4. rule, govern, prevail.
Antonyms
4. obey.
4. obey.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To reign
Collins
World English Dictionary
reign (reɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the period during which a monarch is the official ruler of a country |
| 2. | a period during which a person or thing is dominant, influential, or powerful: the reign of violence is over |
| —vb | |
| 3. | to exercise the power and authority of a sovereign |
| 4. | to be accorded the rank and title of a sovereign without having ruling authority, as in a constitutional monarchy |
| 5. | to predominate; prevail: a land where darkness reigns |
| 6. | (usually present participle) to be the most recent winner of a competition, contest, etc: the reigning heavyweight champion |
| usage Reign is sometimes wrongly written for rein in certain phrases: he gave full rein (not reign) to his feelings; it will be necessary to rein in (not reign in) public spending | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
reign
early 13c., "kingdom," from O.Fr. reigne, from L. regnum "kingship, dominion, rule, realm," related to regere (see regal). Meaning "period of rule" first recorded mid-14c. The verb, meaning "to hold or exercise sovereign power," is attested from late 13c., from O.Fr. regner,
from L. regnare, from regnum.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Literary power aside, it enjoyed such a long reign in part because it was ubiquitous.
The theory is that the isolation would end his reign and weaken the gang.
Such silence gives free reign to the armed zealots of ages past, and of this day.
He also let me have free reign over our family video camera.
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