Emily Dickinson Lexicon

REIGN, n. [rane; Fr. regne; L. regnum.]

1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty. He who like a father held his reign. – Pope.
2. The time during which a king, queen or emperor possesses the supreme authority. The Spanish armada was equipped to invade England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Magna Charta was obtained in the reign of King John.
3. Kingdom; dominion. Saturn's sons received the threefold reign / Of heav'n, of ocean, and deep hell beneath. – Prior.
4. Power; influence. – Chapman.
5. Prevalence.