Regulate (-lāt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Regulated (-lāt&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.
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The laws which regulate the successions of the seasons. Macaulay.
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The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police. Bancroft.
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2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances.
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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.
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To regulate a watch or To regulate a clock, to adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately standard time.
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Syn. -- To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order; rule; govern.
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