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rule Definition

rule (ro̵̅o̅l)

noun

    1. an authoritative regulation for action, conduct, method, procedure, arrangement, etc. the rules of the school
    2. an established practice that serves as a guide to usage the rules of grammar
  2. a complete set or code of regulations in a religious order the Benedictine rule
  3. a fixed principle that determines conduct; habit; custom to make it a rule never to hurry
  4. something that usually or normally happens or obtains; customary course of events famine is the rule following war
    1. government; reign; control
    2. the period of reigning of a particular ruler or government
  6. a ruler or straightedge
  7. Obsolete way of acting; behavior
  8. Law
    1. a regulation or guide established by a court governing court practice and procedure
    2. a declaration, order, etc. made by a judge or court in deciding a specific question or point of law
    3. a legal principle or maxim
  9. Math. a method or procedure prescribed for computing or solving a problem
  10. Printing
    1. a thin strip of metal, the height of type, used to print straight or decorative lines, borders, etc.
    2. a line so printed

Etymology: ME reule < OFr rieule < L regula, ruler, straightedge < regere, to lead straight, rule: see right

transitive verb ruled, rul′·ing

  1. to have an influence over; guide to be ruled by one's friends
  2. to lessen; restrain reason ruled his fear
  3. to have authority over; govern; direct to rule a country
  4. to be the most important element of; dominate action rules the plot
  5. to settle by decree; determine the court ruled the validity of the point
    1. to mark lines on with or as with a ruler
    2. to mark (a line) thus

intransitive verb

  1. to have supreme authority; govern
  2. to be at a specified rate or level; prevail: said of prices, commodities, etc.
  3. to issue a formal decree about a question

rule Idioms

as a rule

usually; ordinarily

rule out

  1. to exclude, as by decision
  2. to prevent; make impossible

rule Synonyms

rule

n.

  1. Government

    control, dominion, jurisdiction; see government 1.

  2. A regulation

    edict, dictate, precept; see command 1, law 3.

  3. The custom

    habit, course, practice; see custom 1, 2. See syn. study at law.

as a rule

ordinarily, generally, habitually; see customarily, regularly 1.

rule Synonyms

rule

v.

  1. To govern

    conduct, control, dictate; see govern.

  2. To regulate

    order, decree, direct; see command 2, manage 1.

rule Law Definition

n

An established or prescribed standard for action; an authoritative principal; the general norm for conduct in a specific kind of situation; a principle, standard, or regulation that governs the internal workings of a court or an agency.

rule Law Definition

v

  1. To exercise control; for example, Diane’s parents rule with an iron fist.
  2. Deciding a legal point or question; for example, the judge ruled the question was admissible.

rule Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • break: Q - How do I report someone else breaking a rule?
  • apply: Lots of worked examples help you to apply the rules correctly.
  • obey: All training should obey a few simple rules to be effective.
  • enforce: The wizards placed strict and strongly enforced rules on construction within the main structure of the community, TANSTAAFL.
  • follow: Fortunately God does not follow the rules of chess.

Preposition: against

perpetuity: Perpetuities The rule against perpetuities is, in effect, an overall time limit within which any direction by the settlor must take effect.

Converse of subject

  • bind: OCTC clinic staff All our clinical psychologists and other professionals are bound by the rules and ethical conduct of their professional organizations.
  • govern: Tribunal procedure will be governed by the same rules ( such as they are ) as apply to other benefit appeals.

Adjective modifier

  • golden: The golden rules are; Never drink eat or dance with faerie folk.
  • strict: Under Saudi Arabia's strict Islamic rules, women must cover their heads in public.
  • general: The general rule is that literally whatever the idea, query, problem, or project the regional office can help.
  • fiscal: Brown predicted he would continue to meet his fiscal rules without either reining in his spending plans or implementing further tax increases.
  • basic: Whether you spend £ 200 or £ 200,000 the basic rules are the same.
  • colonial: More than 80 nations formerly under colonial rule have become independent since the UN was formed in 1945.

Adjective complement

inadmissible: If evidence is not handled correctly it may be ruled inadmissible.

Noun used with modifier

immigration: The system which has seen cavalier disregard of immigration rules become the norm in the Home office.

Particle object:

possibility: James also ruled out the possibility of a tethered balloon, but it would have been too close to the congested flightpaths over London.

Preposition: of

  • thumb: An average of three hundred words is a good rule of thumb.
  • law: Unfortunately this corrupt and disgraced government has shown contempt for democracy and the rule of law.
  • engagement: Statutory constraints, international law, federal regulations, and rules of engagement ( ROE ) may limit a commander's options regarding IO.