Control, n. — Webster enters it under “control”
Etymology: [F. contrôle a counter register, contr. fr. contr-rôle; contre (L. contra) + rôle roll, catalogue. See Counter and Roll, and cf. Counterroll.]
1. A duplicate book, register, or account, kept to correct or check another account or register; a counter register. [Obs.] Johnson.
2. That which serves to check, restrain, or hinder; restraint. "Speak without control." Dryden.
3. Power or authority to check or restrain; restraining or regulating influence; superintendence; government; as, children should be under parental control. The House of Commons should exercise a control over all the departments of the executive administration. Macaulay. Board of control. See under Board.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Control, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Controlled; p.pr. & vb.n. Controlling.]
[Formerly written comptrol and controul.]
1. To check by a counter register or duplicate account; to prove by counter statements; to confute. [Obs.] This report was controlled to be false. Fuller.
2. To exercise restraining or governing influence over; to check; to counteract; to restrain; to regulate; to govern; to overpower. Give me a staff of honor for mine age, But not a scepter to control the world. Shak. I feel my virtue struggling in my soul: But stronger passion does its power control. Dryden.
Syn. -- To restrain; rule; govern; manage; guide; regulate; hinder; direct; check; curb; counteract; subdue.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for controlling; he lists it under absolute.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.