From WordNet (r) 1.6 [wn]:

  control
       n 1: power to direct or determine: "under control"
       2: a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or
          group) by another; "measures for the control of disease";
          "they instituted controls over drinking on campus"
       3: (physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or
          action or reflex etc; "the timing and control of his
          movements were unimpaired"; "he had lost control of his
          sphincters"
       4: a standard against which other conditions can be compared in
          a scientific experiment; "the control condition was
          inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw" [syn:
           {control condition}]
       5: the activity of managing or exerting control over something;
          "the control of the mob by the police was admirable" [syn:
           {controlling}]
       6: the state that exists when one person or group has power
          over another; "her apparent dominance of her husband  was
          really her attempt to make him pay attention to her" [syn:
           {dominance}, {ascendance}, {ascendence}, {ascendancy}, {ascendency}]
       7: discipline in personal and social activities; "he was a
          model of polite restraint"; "she never lost control of
          herself" [syn: {restraint}] [ant: {unrestraint}]
       8: great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or
          activity; "a good command of French" [syn: {command}, {mastery}]
       9: a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the
          speed control on his turntable was not working properly";
          "I turned the controls over to her" [syn: {controller}]
       10: a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium
           during a seance
       11: the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing
           prices or wages etc.; "they wanted to repeal all the
           legislation that imposed economic controls"
       v 1: exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the
            budget"; "Command the military forces" [syn: {command}]
       2: lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or
          keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake" "hold
          your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"
          [syn: {hold in}, {hold}, {contain}, {check}, {curb}, {moderate}]
       3: handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery
          after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever" [syn: {operate}]
       4: influence skilfully to one's advantage; "She manipulates her
          boss"; "She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let
          her children grow up" [syn: {manipulate}]
       5: verify or regulate by conducting a parallel experiment or
          comparing with another standard, of scientific
          experiments: "Are you controlling for the temperature?"
          [syn: {verify}]
       6: verify by using a duplicate register for comparison;
          "control an account"
       7: be careful or certain to do something; make certain of
          something; "He verified that the valves were closed"; "See
          that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the
          product" [syn: {see}, {check}, {insure}, {see to it}, {ensure},
           {ascertain}, {assure}]
       8: have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of; "Do
          you control these data?" [syn: {master}]