Pronunciation: k ə n- ' tr ō l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: 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 \ - ˌ tr ō -l ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– con · trol · la · ble \ - ' tr ō -l ə -b ə l \ adjective
– con · trol · ment \ - ' tr ō l-m ə nt \ noun