regency

Etymology

From Medieval Latin regentia, from Latin regens, present participle of regō, regere, cf. regent and -cy, +‎ -ency (“abstract-noun suffix”).

Noun

regency (countable and uncountable, plural regencies)

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.