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Dictionary Definition of rule
rule noun, verb, ruled, ruling. -- noun 1. a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc. 2. the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation. 3. that which customarily or normally occurs or holds good: the rule rather than the exception. 4. control, government, or dominion. 5. tenure or conduct of reign or office. 6. a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem. 7. ® ruler (def. 2). 8. Printing a. a thin, type-high strip of metal, usually brass, for printing a line or lines. b. (in photocomposition) a black tape in various widths and designs. c. a printed line. 9. Law a. a formal order or direction made by a court and limited in application to the case for which it is given ( special rule ). b. an order or regulation governing the procedure of a court ( general rule ). c. a proposition of law. 10. ( plural ) Brit. (formerly) a. a fixed area in the neighbourhood of certain prisons, within which certain prisoners were allowed to live on giving security. b. the freedom of such an area. -- verb (t) 11. to control or direct; exercise dominating power or influence over. 12. to exercise authority or dominion over; govern. 13. to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree. 14. to mark with lines, especially parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like. 15. to mark out or form (a line) by this method. -- verb (i) 16. to exercise dominating power or influence. 17. to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty. 18. to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a point at law. 19. to prevail or be current, as prices. 20. Colloquial to be the best; be in command: the Blues rule! -- phrase 21. as a rule, usually. 22. bend the rules, Colloquial to make an exception to the rules. 23. rule off, to mark the end (of something written) by ruling a line beneath. 24. rule out, to exclude, refuse to admit, declare (something) out of the question. [ME, from OF riule, from L regula straight stick, pattern] |