government
(ˈgʌvənmənt)
Also 6 gouver(n)ment, 6–7 goverment.
[a. OF. governement (F. gouvernement), f. governer: see govern v. and -ment. In the main, this word may be considered to have superseded governance.]
1.1 The action of governing (see senses of the vb.). a.1.a The action of ruling; continuous exercise of authority over the action of subjects or inferiors; authoritative direction or regulation; control, rule.
c 1566 J. Alday tr. Boaystuau's Theat. World H iv b, A king or a prince‥that hath under his governement so manye thousands of men. 1666 P. Henry Diaries (1882) 184 That the Governmt of the Church of Christ ought to bee manag'd by the Ministers of Christ. 1729 Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 45 The government of the tongue‥relates chiefly to conversation. 1758 S. Hayward Serm. i. 4 We are all under its [sin's] power and government. 1827 Pollok Course T. x, God's eternal government approved. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 88 The Dean was charged with the government of a‥number of youths of high connections. 1859 Tennyson Enid 1043 They‥[horses], like creatures gently born,‥felt Her low firm voice and tender government.
b.1.b spec. The action of ruling and directing the affairs of a state; political rule and administration.
1789 Bentham Princ. Legisl. vii. §1 The business of government is to promote the happiness of the society by punishing and rewarding. 1841 E. Miall in Nonconf. I. 1 At present we have government in excess. 1860 Mill Repr. Govt. i. (1865) 1 Government is a problem to be worked like any other question of business. 1895 Morley in Daily News 30 May 2/1 All government is difficult.
†c.1.c Management. Obs.
1587 L. Mascall (title) Government of Cattel. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 22 The whole government and husbandry of hemp from the seed to the distaffe is like this of flax.
†d.1.d Working or propelling (a ship). Obs.—1
1697 Potter Antiq. Greece iii. xiv. (1715) 124 All the three ways of Government [of Ships] viz. by Sail, Oar, and Cords, were upon Occasion made use of.
e.1.e Guidance (in action). Obs. exc. in commercial and official epistolary use (cf. F. gouverne, Sp. gobierno).
1712 Arbuthnot John Bull i. ix, If she submits to our government, she will be abroad in a little time. 1824 L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 5) I. 227 Examples‥which may serve as some government to the scholar. Mod. (Comm.) Please send me, for my government, a copy of your correspondence with Mr. A.
†2.2 The manner in which one's action is governed. a.2.a In physical sense: Management of the limbs or body; movements, demeanour; also, habits of life, regimen. b.2.b In moral sense: Conduct, behaviour; becoming conduct, discretion. Obs.
a. c 1566 J. Alday tr. Boaystuau's Theat. World E ij, Here you may see his life and governement, whilst he is inclosed in his mothers wombe. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. ix. 10 Their God himselfe‥Shott many a dart at me with fiers intent; But I them warded all with wary government. 1601 Chester Love's Mart. lxvii, Running, vaulting, and Actiuitie And other exercise of gouernement. 1612 in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1849) I. 203 The disease‥must have its ordinary course, and the less physic the better, but only sweating, and an orderly course of keeping and government.
b. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour B viij, The goode knyght‥was wyse and of grete gouernment in repreuying of the lady. 1596 Spenser F.Q. iv. v. 20 Whose beauties wonderment She lesse esteem'd then th' others vertuous government. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iii. iii. 256 Feare not my gouernment. 1633 Ford 'Tis Pity i. i, How did the university applaud Thy government, behaviour, learning, speech. 1639 T. Brugis tr. Camus' Mor. Relat. 319 He tooke into his house one of his sisters, a maid of government and judgement.
3. a.3.a The office or function of governing or ruling; authority to govern; †the command of an army or fortress (obs.).
1584 D. Powel Lloyd's Cambria 69 The rule and Gouernment of North Wales. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. x. 37 The first‥Of all the house had charge and governement, As Guardian and Steward of the rest. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iv. vi. 24, I here resigne my Gouernment to thee. 1610 ― Temp. i. ii. 75 The Government I cast vpon my brother. 1651 Hobbes Gov. & Soc. x. §16. 163 The government it self, or the administration of its affairs, are better committed to one, then many. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N.T. Matt. x. 2 Peter had a priority, though no Government over the rest. 1700 Tyrrell Hist. Eng. II. 915 He was‥perswaded‥to accept the Government of Dover Castle. 1727 De Foe Syst. Magic i. i. (1840) 18 Prometheus obtained the government of a part of Armenia. 1872 J. L. Sanford Eng. Kings, Chas. I, 333 He would learn‥to look upon government as an absolute function of the Sovereign.
†b.3.b An appointment as governor. Obs.
1617 Moryson Itin. ii. 68 Hee‥had made offer to resigne the gouernement he had in the Prouince of Connaght. 1647–8 Sir C. Cotterell Davila's Hist. Fr. (1678) 9 Those few small governments which yet remained in their family. 1769 Junius Lett. iv. (1804) I. 37 My silence may have been purchased by my government.
†c.3.c The post of gouvernante or governess. Obs.—1
1804 G. Rose Diaries (1860) II. 196 Lady Pembroke had been offered the government of the Princess Charlotte.
4. a.4.a The fact that a particular person governs.
1559 J. Aylmer (title) An Harborowe for Faithfull and Trewe Subiectes, agaynst the late blowne Blaste, concerninge the Government of Women. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. (1813) I. ii. 72 The government of a Queen was unknown in Scotland. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. II. 195 The government of Warangól was never restored. 1879 Rydberg Magic Mid. Ages iv. 175 Never has there been a time when a divine and universal government was so much despaired of as in the Middle Ages.
†b.4.b Period of rule, tenure of office. Obs.
1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iv. ii. 141 His fact till now in the gouernment of Lord Angelo, came not to an vndoubtfull proofe. 1617 Moryson Itin. ii. 2 The time of my owne being in Ireland, in the Lord Mountjoy his Governement. 1664 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 153 [I] shall pray to God to bless your Majesty with a long and happy Government.
5.5 The portion of country ruled over by a governor, a province; also as a specific name for a subdivision of a kingdom or empire, as formerly in France, and now in Russia (= Russian guberniya). Also, occas., the territory united under a common rule, as a kingdom, republic, principality, etc.
1603 Sir D. Carleton in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. III. 82 Which was payde owt of his goverment of Jersy. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 245 To make a present to a Cady, returning from his governement to Constantinople. 1624 N. De Lawne tr. Du Moulin's Logick 54 As when we divide‥France into seventeene governments. 1700 Dryden Fables, Baucis & Philemon 20 To Phrygian realms, my Grandsire's Government. 1705 Addison Italy Ded., When I pass'd through most of the Protestant Governments in Europe. 1710 Whitworth Acc. Russia (1758) 53 In 1710, the Czar‥divided the Empire into eight governments. 1759 Wheelock in F. Chase Hist. Dartmouth Coll. (1891) I. 6, I was upon the same road to New Haven when that Doctor passed through this government. 1840 Thirlwall Greece VII. 127 The governments west of the Euphrates. 1894 Daily News 24 Mar. 5/3 The manufacture of Russian lace‥is spread over many governments.
6. a.6.a The system according to which a nation or community is governed; form or kind of polity. Often with defining word indicating either the nature of the community governed, as in civil or political, church or ecclesiastical government, or the kind of organization adopted, as in monarchical, oligarchical, republican government; episcopal, presbyterian government.
1553 Brende Q. Curtius 48 He passed‥vnto the inwarde partes of Egypt, and set a staie and order of the gouerment of the countrey. 1588 Marprel. Epist. (Arb.) 4 The Church gouerment prescribed in the worde. 1604 Edmonds Observ. Cæsar's Comm. 28 Gouernment is defined, to be an establishing of order best fitting the maintenance of a people, in a peaceable and happie life. 1605 Camden Rem. 2 Gouernement Ecclesiasticall, and Civill. 1660 Milton Free Commw. 3 Depriving our selves the instant fruition of that free government which we have so dearly purchasd. a 1698 Temple Hist. Eng. (1699) 9 Their Government was like that of the ancient Gauls, of several small Nations under several petty Princes. 1733 Pope Ess. Man iii. 303 For Forms of Government let fools contest. 1735–8 Bolingbroke On Parties 142 A Government by Will, never prevail'd in Britain. 1748–9 Gray Let. Poems (1775) 201 The three sorts of government, Despotism, the limited Monarchy, and the Republican. 1769 Robertson Chas. V (1813) VI. vi. 107 But Loyola‥appointed that the Government of his order should be purely monarchical. 1771 Junius Lett. xlvii. 249 The government of England is a government of law. 1809–10 Coleridge Friend (1865) 103 Government must have originated in choice and an agreement. 1874 Bancroft Footpr. Time i. 43 Government, in early times, was very imperfectly organized.
b.6.b Short for Instrument of Government.
1654 Cromwell Sp. 12 Sept. in Carlyle, The Gouernment was to be read. 1654 Perfect Account (Thomason Tracts DXCI. No. 21. 1245) This day was extant the Government of this Commonwealth by his Highness special commandement.
7.7 The governing power in a state; the body of persons charged with the duty of governing. This may be viewed in two aspects, giving rise to two distinct senses of the word, which however often coincide in use. a.7.a As a permanent entity (cf. ‘the Crown’, ‘Parliament’, etc.), irrespective of the changes in the persons who hold office. Hence often practically equivalent to state, esp. when used attrib. b.7.b As constituted afresh by the appointment of a number of persons to certain official positions; in England, synonymous with ministry or administration. Often used without article. to form a government: said of the action of the prime minister in filling up those offices, the holders of which are jointly with himself responsible for the administration of the country.
1702 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) V. 212 The government yet has not any account of it. 1779 R. Baker Remarks 35 [Condemns as ‘barbarous’ the custom of saying ‘government’ instead of ‘the government’]. 1801 Bp. Tomline in Stanhope Life Pitt II. 395 A Roman Catholic Bill, which Government stands pledged to Ireland to introduce into the Imperial Parliament. 1817 Southey in Life & Corr. (1850) IV. 239 Government are acting like themselves. 1817 Parl. Deb. 347 A direct charge against the Government of Ireland. 1828 Palmerston in Bulwer Life I. v. 217 The Duke of Wellington has been employed since‥the 9th in taking steps to reorganize the Government. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India I. 105 The suspension of military operations‥for several years afforded the British Government opportunity to [etc.]. 1860 Mill Repr. Govt. (1865) 137/2 In all questions between a government and an individual, the presumption in every Englishman's mind is, that the government is in the wrong. 1868 G. Duff Pol. Surv. 17 The Liberal Government‥is neither so strong nor so wisely composed as we might wish. 1875 Jevons Money (1878) 246 The United States government tried a similar experiment. 1879 McCarthy Own Times II. xxiii. 197 If the resolution had been passed, the Government must have resigned. 1880 Our Nat. Responsibility for Opium Trade 4 The Indian Government is the greatest manufacturer in the world. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. I. 119 note, In America people usually speak of the President and his ministers as the ‘administration’, not as the ‘government’. 1893 Daily News 2 May 5/5 Her Majesty's Government had not only to consider Egypt, but [etc.].
c.7.c pl. Short for government securities. U.S.
1885 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 30 Apr. 1/3 Money Steady—Governments Firmer—Stocks Higher.
8.8 Grammar. The influence of one word over another, according to established usage, in determining the case of a noun or pronoun or the mood of a verb; the effect of this influence.
1755 in Johnson. 1762 R. Lowth Introd. Eng. Gram. (1838) 157 Adverbs have no government. 1824 L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 5) I. 267 This position of the pronoun sometimes occasions its proper case and government to be neglected. Ibid. 285 Participles have the same government as the verbs from which they are derived. 1859 H. Alford Grk. Test., Heb. ix. 15 IV. i. 173 The severing of a genitive in government from its governing noun is not uncommon in our Ep[istle].
9.9 attrib. and Comb., as (sense 7) government-account, government-act, government-borough, government-candidate, government-money, government-office, government-price, government-property, government-rent, government-secretary, government-timber; objective, as government-making; instrumental, as government-appointed, government-backed, government-certificated, government-controlled, government-directed, government-financed, government-held, government-issued, government-imposed, government-made, government-mounted, government-organized, government-run, government-sponsored, government-supported, government-worked adjs. Also †government-general, the territory under the control of a governor-general; government house, the official residence of a governor; also jocularly in the colonies the residence of the owner or manager of an estate; government-man, (a) a man connected with the government, an official; †(b) Austral., a convict; government-paper, bonds, exchequer-bills, or the like, issued by a government; government-securities, (a) = prec.; (b) slang, handcuffs or fetters generally; government-signpost slang, the gallows; government-stroke (Austral.), a convict's stroke or rate of work; government surplus, unused equipment sold by the government through retailers; government-valve = safety-valve.
1809 A. Henry Trav. 58 A clerk, who managed the Indian trade here, on *government account.
1828 P. Cunningham N.S. Wales (ed. 3) II. 304 It‥renders‥*government-acts less liable to be made objects of personal cavil or animosity.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 10 June 4/1 The *Government-appointed Air Committee stepped in. 1963 Rep. Comm. Inquiry Decimal Curr. i. 1 in Parl. Papers 1962–3 (Cmnd. 2145) XI. 195 Following reports in 1959 by Government-appointed committees, Australia will adopt a decimal currency in 1966.
1951 A. L. Rowse England of Elizbeth iv. 116 The Merchant Adventurers, the great *government-backed body of exporters.
1861 May Const. Hist. I. i. 15 The king‥wrested *government boroughs from the ministers.
1812 Sporting Mag. XXXIX. 177 The agent of the *Government-Candidates.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 11 Oct. 4/1 Four‥*Government-certificated schoolmistresses answered an advertisement.
1964 M. Gowing Brit. & Atomic Energy xii. 329 Everyone agreed that a *Government-controlled Experimental Establishment should be created.
1959 G. D. Mitchell Sociol. ix. 148 In industry or in *government-directed organisations.
1964 Ann. Reg. 1963 189 To this end the U.S.A. on 6 February imposed a prohibition on U.S. *government-financed cargoes to foreign merchant ships engaged in trade with Cuba.
1803 Wellesley in Owen Desp. 623 The *Government-General repeatedly derived important advantages from the full command of those ports during the last war.
1965 H. Kahn On Escalation iii. 60 A *government-held village.
1802 A. Ellicott Jrnl. 43 The Governor‥consented that we should meet at the *government house. 1803 in Ann. 8th Congress 2 Sess. 1507 A Government house, stables, and garden. a 1828 D. Wordsworth Jrnl. Tour Continent 11 Sept. in Jrnls. (1941) II. 269 The bathing-house, a square building, is as conspicuous as a Government House. a 1830 W. Hickey Mem. (1960) viii. 124, I‥posted away to the Government House and made my request in person. 1845 Stocqueler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 139 The *Government House was built about the year 1804.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 15 Mar. 66/1 The reward for this patriotic effort has been a *Government-imposed cut of ￡9 million in the guarantees.
1964 A. Wykes Gambling 335 The latter are *government-issued bonds.
1907 Westm. Gaz. 7 Nov. 1/3, I could not smoke the filthy *Government-made stuff that French people call tobacco.
1905 Ibid. 30 Dec. 2/2 *Government-making is a great sport for the public.
1828 P. Cunningham N.S. Wales (ed. 3) II. 109 When fairly domiciliated, they are more respectfully spoken of under the loyal designation of *government-men, the term convict being erased by a sort of general tacit compact from our Botany dictionary. 1843 Haliburton Attaché II. viii. 142 That goverment man, that spoke in their favour, warn't his speech rich? 1883 Graphic 17 Mar. 262/3 They never settle down as thousands of our ‘Government men’ cheerfully did in Australia after they had their freedom.
1776 Foote Bankrupt ii. Wks. 1799 II. 120 He is in the receipt of some *government money.
1907 Daily Chron. 1 Apr. 4/6 A special *Government-mounted messenger was carrying the document along a country road.
1891 Pall Mall G. 27 Aug. 6/2 *Government offices were principally held by young men who were distinguished for their extraordinary insolence and incompetence.
1946 Nature 19 Oct. 529/2 What stands out from these discussions‥is‥a distrust‥of *Government-organised or -sponsored research.
1802 Edin. Rev. I. 105 The privilege of using twenty millions of *government-paper for a certain limited time.
1837 H. Martineau Soc. Amer. II. 87 The soldiers have disposed of their lands much under the *government price.
1832 G. Downes Lett. Cont. Countries I. 489 A quantity of *government property has been destroyed by the inundation.
1828 P. Cunningham N. S. Wales (ed. 3) II. 323 The internal taxes and *government rents are collected by a colonial treasurer.
1964 A. Wykes Gambling x. 241 Britain's *government-run lottery‥is commonly called ‘Premium Bonds’.
1828 P. Cunningham N.S. Wales (ed. 3) II. 323, To a *government secretary residing in the colony is consigned all epistolary correspondence.
1860 Slang Dict., *Government signpost.
1946 Nature 13 July 39/2 In its opinion, a *government-sponsored public corporation financed by the Exchequer is, in general, the most suitable agency.
1856 W. W. Dobie Recoll. Visit Pt. Phillip iii. 47 Government labourers‥were breaking stones with what is called ‘the *government stroke’, which is a slow-going, anti-sweating kind of motion. 1890 Boldrewood Col. Reformer (1891) 236 Regular Government stroke, as we say in this country.
1956 Nature 18 Feb. 312/2 Graduates who take up government or *government-supported jobs related to national defence.
1952 ‘E. C. R. Lorac’ Murder in Mill-Race xv. 151 Grey blankets, (good ‘*government surplus’). 1962 ‘O. Mills’ Headlines make Murder xiii. 146 He kept a short-wave Government-surplus radio.
1803 Edin. Rev. II. 39 Reserving the best timber on the estates as *government-timber.
1860 Merc. Marine Mag. VII. 216 The vessel was loaded at 25 lb. upon the *government valve.
1900 Daily News 20 Apr. 3/2 *Government-worked mines.
Hence ˈgovernmentist, a partisan of the (Papal) government; †ˈgovernmentship = governorship.
1615 Nottingham Rec. (1889) IV. 339 Hee‥shall‥at all tymes duringe his gouernmentshipp geue accompte vnto them of all the saied beddinge. 1862 Severn Roman Jrnls. in Atlantic Monthly May (1892) 637 The governmentists swear that Victor Emmanuel is all the time in league with this ‘sacrilegious brigand’ [Garibaldi].
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Additions 1993
Add: [9.]9 (sense 7) government stock.
1797 Encycl. Brit. VII. 497/1 The prices of all the *government stocks, which bear interest at the same rate, must be nearly the same, as they all depend on the same security. 1852 [see call loan s.v. call n. 15]. 1984 Financial Times 29 Feb. 6/1 Building Societies‥last night threatened to challenge in court the Inland Revenue's decision to tax their profits on holdings of Government stocks (gilts).
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