govern
transitive verb | \ ˈgə-vərn \ | gov·ern
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: to exercise continuous sovereign authority over; especially : to control and direct the administration of policy in : to control and direct the administration of policy in
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: to exert a determining or guiding influence in or over the testator's assets are governed by will substitutes —W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
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: to serve as a precedent or deciding principle for the law governing bills of lading United States v. Leon governs the case at bar