control

Pronunciation: /kənˈtɹoʊl/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun power to direct or determine
  2. noun a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another
  3. noun (physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc

Etymology

From Middle English controllen, from Old French contrerole, from Medieval Latin contrārotulus (“a counter-roll or register used to verify accounts”), from Latin contrā (“against, opposite”) + Medieval Latin rotulus, Latin rotula (“roll, a little wheel”), diminutive of rota (“a wheel”). Partly displaced native Old English wealdan and Old English wieldan, whence their merged reflex English wield.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
power
Narrower (hyponyms)
iron fist, rein, corporatism, hold, authority

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