Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TROL', n. [Fr. controlle, a counter register; contre and rolle, a roll, list or catalogue; Arm. counter roll.]

1. Primarily, a book register or account, kept to correct or check another account or register; a counter register. Hence, check; restraint; as, to speak or to act without control. The wind raged without control. Our passions should be under the control of reason.
2. Power; authority; government; command. Children should be under the control of their parents. The events of life are not always under our control.
3. He or that which restrains. – Burke.