n. & adj.
--n.
1. a person appointed to administer a State because the monarch is a minor or is absent or incapacitated.
2 US a member of the governing body of a State university.
--adj. (placed after noun) acting as regent (Prince Regent).
Phrases and idioms:
regent-bird an Australian bower bird, Sericulus chrysocephalus.
Etymology: ME f. OF regent or L regere rule