regulate

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Regulated p. pr. & vb. n. Regulating. ] [ L. regulatus, p. p. of regulare, fr. regula. See Regular. ] 1. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles or laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

The laws which regulate the successions of the seasons. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state of a nation or its finances. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate, degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

To regulate a watch or
To regulate a clock, to adjust its rate of running so that it will keep approximately standard time. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order; rule; govern. [ 1913 Webster ]