I. ˈrējənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin regent-, regens, from Latin, present participle of regere to rule — more at right
1. archaic : functioning as a presiding officer over academic debates and disputations — used postpositively of a master of arts of less than five years standing at Oxford or Cambridge universities
2.
[ regent (II) ]
: exercising vicarious authority : acting as a regent (as of a country)
3.
[Latin regent-, regens, present participle of regere ]
archaic : ruling , governing, regnant
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, ruler, regent, from Medieval Latin regent-, regens, from Latin, present participle of regere to rule
1.
a. archaic : something that rules or governs : a ruling authority or principle
b. : one who rules or reigns : governor , ruler
2. : one invested with vicarious authority : one who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign: as
a. : a member of a former governing body of some European cities
b. : a native official in the former Dutch administration of Java through whom a resident and his assistants carry out the details of the government of a residency
3.
a.
(1) : a regent master of arts
(2) : an instructor in a Scottish college in charge of students through the entire course : professor
b. obsolete : the headmaster of a school
c. : a member of an academic or cultural governing board (as of a state university)
4. or regent pump : a woman's pump having a circular vamp and a quarter unbroken at the heel