Main Entry: ¹con·trol

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈtrōl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): con·trolled; con·trol·ling

Etymology: Middle English countrollen, from Anglo-French contrerouler, from contreroule copy of an account, audit, from Medieval Latin contrarotulus, from Latin contra- + Medieval Latin rotulus roll — more at roll

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 a archaic : to check, test, or verify by evidence or experiments b : to incorporate suitable controls in <a controlled experiment>
2 a : to exercise restraining or directing influence over : regulate b : to have power over : rule c : to reduce the incidence or severity of especially to innocuous levels <control an insect population> <control a disease>intransitive verb : to incorporate controls in an experiment or study —used with for <control for socioeconomic differences>

synonyms see conduct

— con·trol·la·bil·i·ty \-ˌtrō-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— con·trol·la·ble \-ˈtrō-lə-bəl\ adjective

— con·trol·ment \-ˈtrōl-mənt\ noun