- gov|er|nor
- gov|er|nor «GUHV uhr nuhr, GUHV nuhr», noun.1. the official elected as the executive head of a state of the United States. The governor of a state carries out the laws made by a state legislature. Abbr: Gov.2. an official appointed to govern a province, colony, city, or fort: »
History is full, down to this day, of the imbecility of kings and governors (Emerson).
SYNONYM(S): ruler.3. a person who manages or directs the affairs of a club, society, institution, or, sometimes, a business. A club often has a board of governors. SYNONYM(S): manager, director, overseer.4. an automatic device to keep a machine going at an even speed by controlling the supply of fuel or power: »Most steam engines are equipped with governors to regulate their speed.
5. Especially British Slang. one's father, employer, or other superior (used as a familiar term of address).6. British Slang. a prison warden.7. Obsolete. a tutor.╂[< Old French governeor < Latin gubernātor (originally) teersman < gubernāre; see etym. under govern (Cf. ↑govern)]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.