n. [ F. gouvernement. See Govern. ] 1. The act of governing; the exercise of authority; the administration of laws; control; direction; regulation; as, civil, church, or family government. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The mode of governing; the system of polity in a state; the established form of law. [ 1913 Webster ] That free government which we have so dearly purchased, free commonwealth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. The right or power of governing; authority. [ 1913 Webster ] I here resign my government to thee. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The person or persons authorized to administer the laws; the ruling power; the administration. [ 1913 Webster ] When we, in England, speak of the government, we generally understand the ministers of the crown for the time being. Mozley & W. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. The body politic governed by one authority; a state; as, the governments of Europe. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. Management of the limbs or body. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. (Gram.) The influence of a word in regard to construction, requiring that another word should be in a particular case. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
