control

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the activity of managing or exerting control over something

   the control of the mob by the police was admirable

2. 2
   noun

   in physiology, regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc

   The timing and control of their movements were unimpaired.

3. 3
   noun

   a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine

   The speed control on their turntable was not working properly and played off-tempo music.

4. 4
   noun

   power to direct or determine

   under control

5. 5
   noun

   a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment

   The control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions they wished to draw.

6. 6
   noun

   the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.

   they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls

7. 7
   noun

   a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another

   measures for the control of disease

8. 8
   verb

   to verify by using a duplicate register for comparison

   control an account

Etymology

From Middle English controllen, from Old French contrerole, from Medieval Latin contrārotulus (“a counter-roll or register used to verify accounts”), from Latin contrā (“against, opposite”) + Medieval Latin rotulus, Latin rotula (“roll, a little wheel”), diminutive of rota (“a wheel”). Partly displaced native Old English wealdan and Old English wieldan, whence their merged reflex English wield.