Reg"u*late (-lāt), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Regulated (-
lā`t&ebreve;d); p. pr. & vb. n.
Regulating.] [L. regulatus, p. p. of regulare,
fr. regula. See Regular.] 1. To
adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct by rule or
restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws.
The laws which regulate the successions of the
seasons.
Macaulay.
The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own
disputes, and regulated their own police.
Bancroft.
2. To put in good order; as, to
regulate the disordered state of a nation or its
finances.
3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a
desired rate, degree, or condition; as, to regulate the
temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine,
etc.
To regulate a watch or clock,
to adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately
standard time.
Syn. -- To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct;
order; rule; govern.
