Gov"ern*ment (?), 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.
2.
The mode of governing; the system of polity in a state; the established form of law.
That free government which we have so dearly purchased, free commonwealth.
Milton.
3.
The right or power of governing; authority.
I here resign my goverment to thee.
Shak.
4.
The person or persons authorized to administer the laws; the ruling powe; the administratian.
When we, in England, speak of the government, we generally
understand the ministers of the crown for the time being.
Mozley & W.
5.
The body politic governed by one authority; a state; as, the governments of Europe.
6.
Management of the limbs or body.
Shak.
7. Gram.
The influence of a word in regard to construction, requiring that another word should be in a particular case.
© Webster 1913.