Meanings
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1
noun
a person who governs temporarily for a monarch who is absent, underage, or unable to rule
The queen appointed her brother regent while the heir was still a child.
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2
noun
a member of a governing board, especially one responsible for a university or public institution
Each regent voted on the university's proposed tuition policy.
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3
adj
ruling or acting in place of a monarch
The prince regent approved the treaty on behalf of the incapacitated king.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English and Anglo-French regent, from Latin regens, 'ruling' or 'a ruler,' the present participle of regere, 'to rule, guide, or direct.' The temporary-ruler noun and the adjective both preserve the Latin participial idea of someone actively governing.