regency

[ ree-juhn-see ]

noun

, plural re·gen·cies.

1. the office, jurisdiction, or control of a regent or body of regents exercising the ruling power during the minority, absence, or disability of a sovereign.
2. a body of regents.
3. a government consisting of regents.
4. a territory under the control of a regent or regents.
5. the term of office of a regent.
6. (initial capital letter) British History. the period (1811–20) during which George, Prince of Wales, later George IV, was regent.
7. (initial capital letter) French History. the period of the minority of Louis XV.
8. the office or function of a regent or ruler.

adjective

1. of or relating to a regency.
2. History/Historical. of or relating to the Regencies in England or France.
3. (often initial capital letter) of or relating to the style of architecture, furnishings, and decoration of the British Regency, somewhat similar to the French Directoire and Empire styles and characterized by close imitation of ancient Greek forms as well as by less frequent and looser adaptations of ancient Roman, Gothic, Chinese, and ancient Egyptian forms.

regency

¹

/ ˈriːdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. government by a regent or a body of regents
2. the office of a regent or body of regents
3. a territory under the jurisdiction of a regent or body of regents

Regency

²

/ ˈriːdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. (in the United Kingdom) the period (1811–20) during which the Prince of Wales (later George IV) acted as regent during his father's periods of insanity
2. (in France) the period of the regency of Philip, Duke of Orleans, during the minority of Louis XV (1715–23)

adjective

1. characteristic of or relating to the Regency periods in France or the United Kingdom or to the styles of architecture, furniture, art, literature, etc, produced in them

Word History and Origins

Origin of regency¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word rēgentia. See regent, -ency

Word History and Origins

Origin of regency¹

C15: from Medieval Latin regentia , from Latin regere to rule

Example Sentences

In 1999, El Elegante threw a fashion benefit for more than 600 guests on the beach at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Acapulco.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier this week, Regency Centers, a shopping center developer, sold $250 million in so-called green bonds.

From The Daily Beast

It began, for them all, with the urge to seek some form of liberty and escape the stultifying conventions of Regency England.

From The Daily Beast

Scher set up a face-to-face meeting with John Edwards on September 18 at the Regency Hotel in New York City.

From The Daily Beast

Over drinks at the Regency that afternoon it was mutually decided that Miss Hunter would no longer travel with the candidate.

From The Daily Beast

And in case of the prince's death, the regency to remain in the hands of the Princess Maria Leopoldina.

From Project Gutenberg

I, as the king's mother and a member of the council of the regency,—I protest against what appears to me a crime of lese-majeste.

From Project Gutenberg

It will be recollected that in the last chapter the appointment of a council of regency at Lahore was recorded.

From Project Gutenberg

In Ireland the parliament met in 1789 when the regency question was still before the English parliament.

From Project Gutenberg

The prince promised to accept the regency, and stated his objections to the restrictions.

From Project Gutenberg