v. & n.
v.intr. 1 hold royal office; be king or queen. 2 prevail; hold sway (confusion reigns). 3 (as reigning adj.) (of a winner, champion, etc.) currently holding the title etc.
n. 1 sovereignty, rule. 2 the period during which a sovereign rules.
[ ME f. OF reigne kingdom f. L regnare f. rex regis king ]