regency

name

1. The regency of George Augustus Frederick of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, before he became King George IV; that is, the period in United Kingdom history in which he ruled as prince regent (1811–1820).

noun

Etymology: From Middle English regencie (cf. regente), from Medieval Latin regentia, from Latin regēns, present participle of regō. By surface analysis, regent + -cy; compare also + -ency (“abstract-noun suffix”).

1. A system of government that substitutes for the reign of a king or queen when that king or queen becomes unable to rule.
2. The time during which a regent is in power.
3. An administrative division ranking below a province in Indonesia.