royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty; rule; dominion.-the territory or sphere which is reigned over; kingdom; empire; realm; dominion.-the time during which a king, queen, or emperor possesses the supreme authority; as, it happened in the reign of elizabeth.-to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to exercise government, as a king or emperor;; to hold supreme power; to rule.-hence, to be predominant; to prevail.-to have superior or uncontrolled dominion; to rule.