The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Regulate \Reg"u*late\ (-l[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Regulated
   (-l[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Regulating.] [L.
   regulatus, p. p. of regulare, fr. regula. See Regular.]
   1. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct
      by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles
      or laws.
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            The laws which regulate the successions of the
            seasons. --Macaulay.
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            The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own
            disputes, and regulated their own police.
                                                  --Bancroft.
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   2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state
      of a nation or its finances.
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   3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate,
      degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a
      room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.
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   To regulate a watch or To regulate a clock, to adjust its
      rate of running so that it will keep approximately
      standard time.
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   Syn: To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order;
        rule; govern.
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