[gov.er.nor] n (14c) 1: one that govern s: as a: one that exercises authority esp. over an area or group b: an official elected or appointed to act as ruler, chief executive, or nominal head of a political unit c: commanding officer d: the managing director and usu. the principal officer of an institution or organization e: a member of a group that directs or controls an institution or society
2: tutor 3 a slang: one looked upon as governing b: mister, sir--usu. used as a term of address
4. a: an attachment to a machine (as a gasoline engine) for automatic control or limitation of speed b: a device giving automatic control (as of pressure or temperature) -- gov.er.nor.ate n