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A diplomatic agent's note asking for instructions from his government concerning a particular matter or point.

defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of government. Civil service reform. See under Civil. -- Reform acts (Eng. Politics), acts of Parliament passed in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1885, extending and equalizing popular representation in Parliament. -- Reform school, a school es…

The office of ruler; rule; authority; government.

One of a body of officers charged with the government of Spanish municipalities, corresponding to the English alderman.

Direct management of public finance or public works by agents of the government for government account; -- opposed to the contract system.

Mode or system of rule or management; character of government, or of the prevailing social system. I dream . . . of the new régime which is to come. H. Kingsley.

Orderly government; system of order; adminisration. Hallam.

Government; mode of ruling; rule; authority; regimen. [Obs.] Spenser. "Regiment of health." Bacon. But what are kings, when regiment is gone, But perfect shadows in a sunshine day Marlowe. The law of nature doth now require of necessity some kind of regiment. Hocker.

A rule or order prescribed for management or government; prescription; a regulating principle; a governing direction; precept; law; as, the regulations of a society or a school. Regulation sword, cap, uniform, etc. (Mil.), a sword, cap, uniform, etc., of the kind or quality prescribed by the official regulations.…

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.

Hence, an instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing; government; restraint. "Let their eyes rove without rein." Milton. To give rein, To give the rein to, to give license to; to leave withouut restrain. -- To take the reins, to take the guidance or government; to assume control.

especially, the act of surrender, as of fugitives from justice, at the claim of a foreign government; also, surrender in war. The rest of these brave men that suffered in cold blood after articles of rendition. Evelyn.

In France, interest payable by government on indebtedness; the bonds, shares, stocks, etc.,, which represent government indebtedness.

e to a former place, position, condition, or the like. The earl . . . was replaced in his government. Bacon.

by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.

One who favors or prefers a republican form of government.

A republican form or system of government; the principles or theory of republican government.

A formal demand made by one state or government upon another for the surrender or extradition of a fugitive from justice. Kent.

wishes or will, or of something valued; -- also often used reflexively. I here resign my government to thee. Shak. Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign What justly thou hast lost. Milton. What more reasonable, than that we should in all things resign up ourselves to the will of God Tiilotson.

not mean; as, a respectable citizen. "The respectable quarter of Sicca." J. H. Newman. No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected, without being truly respectable. Madison.