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)]