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Definition

noun, plural: controls

(general)

(1) Influence or authority over.

(2) That which purposefully direct, manipulate, manage, regulate, restrain, or cause change.

(science) A subject or a group in an experiment where the factor being tested is not applied, hence, serves as a standard for comparison against another group where the factor is applied.

verb

To take charge of; to influence or direct over; to restrain, prevent, or manipulate.

Supplement

In scientific experiments, the use of controls allows to study one variable or factor at a time. It is, however, important that both the control and other (experimental) group(s) are exposed to the same conditions apart from the one variable under study. Doing so will help draw conclusions that are more accurate and reliable.

Word origin: Middle English controllen, borrowed from Middle French contreroller, 'check against a duplicate account', from Medieval Latin contrarotulare, from contra 'opposite' + rotula 'roll, little wheel'.

Related forms: controllable (adjective), controlling (verb: present participle), controlled (verb: simple past).
Related terms:

• biological control
• birth control
• case-control study
• controlled experiment
• control group
• control element
• feedback control
• infection control
• insect control
• population control
• weed control