a. [ L. regens, -entis, p. pr. of regere to rule: cf. F. régent. See Regiment. ] 1. Ruling; governing; regnant. “Some other active regent principle . . . which we call the soul.” Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Exercising vicarious authority. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Queen regent. See under Queen, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. régent. See Regent, a. ] 1. One who rules or reigns; a governor; a ruler. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Especially, one invested with vicarious authority; one who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One of a governing board; a trustee or overseer; a superintendent; a curator; as, the regents of the Smithsonian Institution. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Eng.Univ.) A resident master of arts of less than five years' standing, or a doctor of less than twwo. They were formerly privileged to lecture in the schools. [ 1913 Webster ]

Regent bird (Zool.), a beautiful Australian bower bird (Sericulus melinus). The male has the head, neck, and large patches on the wings, bright golden yellow, and the rest of the plumage deep velvety black; -- so called in honor of the Prince of Wales (afterward George IV.), who was Prince Regent in the reign of George III. --
The Regents of the University of the State of New York, the members of a corporate body called the University of New York. They have a certain supervisory power over the incorporated institution for Academic and higher education in the State. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A famous diamond of fine quality, which weighs about 137 carats and is among the state jewels of France. It is so called from the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France, to whom it was sold in 1717 by Pitt the English Governor of Madras (whence also called the Pitt diamond), who bought it of an Indian merchant in 1701. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A female regent. [ R. ] Cotgrave. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a regent; regency. [ 1913 Webster ]