controls
English meaning: Controls
Definition
Influence or authority over something.
Example
“The government has complete control over the situation.”
Another example: “The pilot took the controls as the plane began its descent.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral and common; authority over something, or the devices used to operate a machine (the controls of a plane), or comparison groups in experiments (control group). Plural of 'control'. Context separates senses.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Anglo-French 'contreroller' (to keep a counter-roll, check), from Medieval Latin 'contrarotulus'; entered English in the 15th century.
Synonyms
- restrictions
- regulations
- checks
- levers
- commands
Related Words
Common Collocations
- quality controls
- take the controls
- at the controls
- price controls
- border controls
- parental controls
Word Forms
control (n); controls (pl.); control (v); controlled; controlling
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B