Re"gen*cy (r?*jen*s?), n.; pl. Regencies (-s&?;z). [CF. F. régence, LL. regentia. See Regent, a.] 1. The office of ruler; rule; authority; government.

2. Especially, the office, jurisdiction, or dominion of a regent or vicarious ruler, or of a body of regents; deputed or vicarious government. Sir W. Temple.

3. A body of men intrusted with vicarious government; as, a regency constituted during a king's minority, absence from the kingdom, or other disability.

A council or regency consisting of twelve persons.

• Latin rex/regere, and English abstract-noun suffix -ncy.
  
• a system of government that substitutes for the reign of a king or queen when that king or queen becomes unable to rule.
  
• the time during which a regent is in power.
  
• (Regency) in Great Britian, the time during which George, Prince of Wales, was Regent (1811-1820).
  
• regent
  
• regal
  
• regalia