regency Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the period of time during which a regent governs
  2. noun the period from 1811-1820 when the Prince of Wales was regent during George III's periods of insanity
  3. noun the office of a regent

WordNet

Re"gen*cy noun
Etymology
CF. F. régence, LL. regentia. See Regent, a.
Wordforms
plural Regencies
Definitions
  1. The office of ruler; rule; authority; government.
  2. Especially, the office, jurisdiction, or dominion of a regent or vicarious ruler, or of a body of regents; deputed or vicarious government. Sir W. Temple.
  3. A body of men intrusted with vicarious government; as, a regency constituted during a king's minority, absence from the kingdom, or other disability.
    A council or regency consisting of twelve persons. Lowth.

Webster 1913