Reign \Reign\ (r[=a]n), n. [OE. regne, OF. reigne, regne, F. r[`e]gne, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Reign \Reign\ (r?n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Reigned (r?nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Reigning.]

[OE. regnen, reinen, OF. regner, F. r['e]gner, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)