In my high school communications class, I gave a speech entitled "Cookies And Cream Is The Greatest Flavor Of Ice Cream".

I summed up my speech triumphantly, "...and for all of those reasons, Cookies and Cream will reign supreme for all eternity!"

When I sat down, my teacher gave me an odd look and said, "What does reign mean? Is that a real word?"

I was befuddled. I looked around the room for support, but my classmates were staring at me queerly and shrugging.

At a loss for words I cried, "Have you all gone mad?! Reign is a word!"

They just shook their heads in pity.

I wish I could go back in time and say something a little more witty than "reign is a word!"

Reign (r?n), n. [OE. regne, OF. reigne, regne, F. regne, fr. L. regnum, fr. rex, regis, a king, fr. regere to guide, rule. See Regal, Regimen.]

1.

Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; rule; dominion.

He who like a father held his reign. Pope.

Saturn's sons received the threefold reign Of heaven, of ocean,, and deep hell beneath. Prior.

2.

The territory or sphere which is reigned over; kingdom; empire; realm; dominion.

[Obs.]

Spenser.

[God] him bereft the regne that he had. Chaucer.

3.

The time during which a king, queen, or emperor possesses the supreme authority; as, it happened in the reign of Elizabeth.

 

© Webster 1913.


Reign (r?n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Reigned (r?nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Reigning.] [OE. regnen, reinen, OF. regner, F. r'egner, fr. L. regnare, fr. regnum. See Reign, n.]

1.

To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to exercise government, as a king or emperor;; to hold supreme power; to rule.

Chaucer.

We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke xix. 14.

Shall Banquo's issue ever Reign in this kingdom? Shak.

2.

Hence, to be predominant; to prevail.

"Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer."

Bacon.

3.

To have superior or uncontrolled dominion; to rule.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. Rom. vi. 12.

Syn. -- To rule; govern; direct; control; prevail.

 

© Webster 1913.

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