Gov"ern*ment (?), n. [F. gouvernement. See Govern.] 1. The act of
governing; the exercise of authority; the administration of laws;
control; direction; regulation; as, civil, church, or family
government.
2. The mode of governing; the system of polity in a state; the
established form of law.
That free government which we have so dearly purchased, free
commonwealth.
Milton.