rule

/roohl/, n., v., ruled, ruling.

n.

1. a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.: the rules of chess.

2. the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation: the Franciscan rule.

3. the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc.: the rule rather than the exception.

4. control, government, or dominion: under the rule of a dictator.

5. tenure or conduct of reign or office: during the rule of George III.

6. a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem.

7. ruler (def. 2).

8. (cap.) Astron. the constellation Norma.

9. Print. a thin, type-high strip of metal, for printing a solid or decorative line or lines.

10. Law.

a. a formal order or direction made by a court, as for governing the procedure of the court (general rule) or for sending the case before a referee (special rule).

b. a legal principle.

c. a court order in a particular case.

11. rules, Penol. (formerly)

a. a fixed area in the neighborhood of certain prisons within which certain prisoners were allowed to live.

b. the freedom of such an area.

12. Obs. behavior.

13. as a rule, generally; usually: He arrives at eleven o'clock, as a rule.

v.t.

14. to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern: to rule the empire with severity.

15. to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree: The judge ruled that he should be exiled.

16. to mark with lines, esp. parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like: to rule paper.

17. to mark out or form (a line) by this method: to rule lines on paper.

18. to be superior or preeminent in (a specific field or group); dominate by superiority; hold sway over: For centuries, England ruled the seas.

v.i.

19. to exercise dominating power or influence; predominate.

20. to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty.

21. to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a point at law.

22. to be prevalent or current: Higher prices ruled throughout France.

23. rule out,

a. to prove to be unrelated or not for consideration; eliminate; exclude: to rule out the possibility of error.

b. to make impossible or impracticable: The rainstorm ruled out the holiday camping.

24. rule the roost. See roost (def. 4).

[1175-1225; (n.) ME riule, reule < OF riule < L regula straight stick, pattern (see REGULA); (v.) ME riwlen, reulen, rewellen < OF riuler, rieuler, ruler < LL regulare, deriv. of regula]

Syn. 1. standard, law, ruling, guide, precept, order. See principle. 4. command, domination, mastery, sway, authority, direction. 14. RULE, ADMINISTER, COMMAND, GOVERN, MANAGE mean to exercise authoritative guidance or direction. RULE implies the exercise of authority as by a sovereign: to rule a kingdom. ADMINISTER places emphasis on the planned and orderly procedures used: to administer the finances of an institution.

COMMAND suggests military authority and the power to exact obedience; to be in command of: to command a ship. TO GOVERN is authoritatively to guide or direct persons or things, esp. in the affairs of a large administrative unit: to govern a state. TO MANAGE is to conduct affairs, i.e., to guide them in a unified way toward a definite goal, or to direct or control people, often by tact, address, or artifice: to manage a business. 15. order, judge.

* * *

(as used in expressions)

exclusionary rule

gag rule

Home Rule Irish

L'Hôpital's rule

Rule of the Community

product rule

quotient rule

* * *