Reign (rān), n. [OE. regne,
OF. reigne, regne, F. règne, fr. L.
regnum, fr. rex, regis, a king, fr. regere
to guide, rule. See Regal, Regimen.] 1.
Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; rule;
dominion.
He who like a father held his
reign.
Pope.
Saturn's sons received the threefold reign
Of heaven, of ocean, and deep hell beneath.
Prior.
2. The territory or sphere which is reigned
over; kingdom; empire; realm; dominion. [Obs.]
Spenser.
[God] him bereft the regne that he
had.
Chaucer.
3. The time during which a king, queen, or
emperor possesses the supreme authority; as, it happened in the
reign of Elizabeth.
Reign (r?n), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Reigned (r?nd); p. pr. & vb. n.
Reigning.] [OE. regnen, reinen, OF.
regner, F. régner, fr. L. regnare, fr.
regnum. See Reign, n.] 1.
To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to exercise
government, as a king or emperor;; to hold supreme power; to
rule. Chaucer.
We will not have this man to reign over
us.
Luke xix. 14.
Shall Banquo's issue ever
Reign in this kingdom?
Shak.
2. Hence, to be predominant; to prevail.
"Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer."
Bacon.
3. To have superior or uncontrolled dominion;
to rule.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal
body.
Rom. vi. 12.
Syn. -- To rule; govern; direct; control; prevail.
