control
UK /kənˈtɹəʊl/ · US /kənˈtɹoʊl/ verb, noun
Forms controls controlling controlled comptrol comptroll controll controul countrol Ctrl
- verb (transitive) To exercise influence over; to suggest or dictate the behavior of. “With a simple remote, he could control the toy truck.”
- verb (transitive, statistics) (construed with for) To design (an experiment) so that the effects of one or more variables are reduced or eliminated.
- verb (transitive, archaic) To verify the accuracy of (something or someone, especially a financial account) by comparison with another account.
- verb (transitive, obsolete) To call to account, to take to task, to challenge.
- verb (transitive) To hold in check, to curb, to restrain.
- noun (countable, uncountable) An influence or authority over something. “The government has complete control over the situation.”
- noun The method and means of governing the performance of any apparatus, machine or system, such as a lever, handle or button.
- noun Restraint or ability to contain one's movements or emotions, or self-control.
- noun A security mechanism, policy, or procedure that can counter system attack, reduce risks, and resolve vulnerabilities; a safeguard or countermeasure.
- noun (project management) A means of monitoring for, and triggering intervention in, activities that are not going according to plan.
- noun A control group or control experiment.
- noun A duplicate book, register, or account, kept to correct or check another account or register.
- noun (graphical user interface) An interface element that a computer user interacts with, such as a window or a text box.
Synonyms
besteer bewield manage puppeteer rule govern command widget control condition dominance ascendance ascendence ascendancy ascendency restraint mastery controller hold in hold contain check curb moderate operate manipulate keep in line verify see insure see to it
Antonyms
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.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A duplicate book, register, or account, kept to correct or check another account or register; a counter register. [Obs.] Johnson.
- noun That which serves to check, restrain, or hinder; restraint. "Speak without control." Dryden.
- verb To check by a counter register or duplicate account; to prove by counter statements; to confute. [Obs.]
- verb To exercise restraining or governing influence over; to check; to counteract; to restrain; to regulate; to govern; to overpower.
Etymology [F. contrôle a counter register, contr. fr. contr-rôle; contre (L. contra) + rôle roll, catalogue. See Counter and Roll, and cf. Counterroll.]
Etymology [F. contrôler, fr. contrôle.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “control”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details