From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Regulator \Reg"u*la`tor\ (-l?`t?r), n.
1. One who, or that which, regulates.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Mach.) A contrivance for regulating and controlling
motion, as:
(a) The lever or index in a watch, which controls the
effective length of the hairspring, and thus regulates
the vibrations of the balance.
(b) The governor of a steam engine.
(c) A valve for controlling the admission of steam to the
steam chest, in a locomotive.
[1913 Webster]
3. A clock, or other timepiece, used as a standard of correct
time. See {Astronomical clock}
(a), under {Clock}.
[1913 Webster]
4. A member of a volunteer committee which, in default of the
lawful authority, undertakes to preserve order and prevent
crimes; also, sometimes, one of a band organized for the
comission of violent crimes. [U.S.]
[1913 Webster]
A few stood neutral, or declared in favor of the
Regulators. --Bancroft.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
regulator
n 1: any of various controls or devices for regulating or
controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
2: an official responsible for control and supervision of a
particular activity or area of public interest
3: a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by
controlling the supply of fuel) [syn: {governor},
{regulator}]
From German-English FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.3.3 [fd-deu-eng]:
Regulator /reːguːlaːtoːr/
governor; modulator
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