Emily Dickinson Lexicon

REIGN, v.i. [rane; L. regno, a derivative of rego, regnum; Fr. regner; It. regnare; Sp. reynar.]

1. To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to rule; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; or to hold the supreme power. George the Third reigned over Great Britain more than fifty years. Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness. – Is. xxxii.
2. To be predominant; to prevail. Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer or autumn. – Bacon.
3. To rule; to have superior or uncontrolled dominion. – Rom. vi. [This word is never applied to the exercise of supreme power by a legislative body or the executive administration, in the United States.]