Etymology From Middle English regent, from Anglo-Norman regent, Middle French regent, and their source, Latin regēns (“ruling; ruler, governor, prince”), present participle of regō (“to govern, to steer”).
1
One who rules in place of the monarch, especially because the monarch is too young, absent, or disabled.
Historical A member of a municipal or civic body of governors, especially in certain European cities.
This perception, however, does no justice to the regents of the city of Amsterdam.1999, Geert Mak, translated by Philipp Blom, Amsterdam: A Brief Life of the City, Vintage, published 2001, page 139:
4
Canada, Scotland, US A member of governing board of a college or university; also a governor of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Etymology From Middle English regent, from Anglo-Norman regent, Middle French regent, and their source, Latin regēns (“ruling; ruler, governor, prince”), present participle of regō (“to govern, to steer”).
1
Ruling; governing; regnant.
Some other active regent principle […] which we call the soul.a. 1677 (date written), Matthew Hale, The Primitive Origination of Mankind, Considered and Examined According to the Light of Nature, London: […] William Godbid, for William Shrowsbery, […], published 1677, →OCLC:
2
Exercising vicarious authority.
the regent powers1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC: