governail

English

Etymology

From Middle English governail, governaile from Middle French and Old French governail, from Latin gubernāculum. Doublet of gubernaculum.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡʌvə(ɹ)nəl/
• (spelling pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɡʌvə(ɹ)neɪl/

Noun

governail

1. (archaic) That which steers a nautical vessel; a rudder or a person employing it.
   • 1786, John Jeffries, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, A narrative of the two aerial Voyages of Dr. J. with Mons. Blanchard: with meteorological observations and remarks.‎^[1], page 45:

     We immediately threw out all the little things we had with us, ſuch as biſcuits, apples, &c. and after that one of our oars or wings; but ſtill deſcending, we caſt away the other wing, and then the governail ; having likewiſe had the precaution, for fear of accidents, while the Balloon was filling, partly to looſen and make it go eaſy, I now ſucceeded in attempting to reach without the Car, and unſcrewing the moulinet, with all its apparatus; I likewiſe caſt that into the ſea.

   • 1834, The Printing Machine: Or Companion to the Library, and Register of Progressive Knowledge, Volumes 1-3‎^[2], London: William Clover, page 61:

     That he has contrived a “ self-acting governail, which has the peculiar power of directing the course of the vessel, entirely independent of the action of the helm, and which is positively called into operation by the very presence of danger."

   • 1995, Michel Serres, The Natural Contract‎^[3], University of Michigan Press, page 43:

     But this whole arsenal of methods remained only a metaphor when it came to the art of governing men politically. What does the helmsman with his governail have to teach those who govern?

Anagrams

• gone viral, overalign, Voglerian

Middle English

Alternative forms

• governail, governaill, governaille, governayle, governaylle, governele, governeylle

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French governail, from Old French governail, governaille, from Latin gubernāculum.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡuvərˈnɛi̯l(ə)/, /ˈɡuvərnɛl(ə)/

Noun

governail (plural governails)

1. Control, direction, or leadership:
   1. Government, rule; administrative or political control.
   2. Guardianship or oversight; one's role as a caretaker or guardian.
   3. Willpower or reserve; control over oneself.
   4. The duration an office is held for; reign, tenure.
2. (rare) Destiny; a preordained result or fate.
3. A rudder or oar (paddle for steering a vessel)
4. (rare, medicine) A restorative course of action.
5. (rare) Behaviour, action, or demeanour.
6. (rare, figurative) A guardian or overseer; one who directs.

Descendants

• English: governail (archaic)
• Middle Scots: governall

References

• “governail, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-28.