WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Gov"ern*ment
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. gouvernement. See Govern.]
Definition : 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.)

Defn: The influence of a word in regard to construction, requiring that another word should be in a particular case.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913