Definitions for the word "rule" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. a.
That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action; a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a regulation; a prescription; a precept; as, the rules of various societies; the rules governing a school; a rule of etiquette or propriety; the rules of cricket.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. a.
Uniform or established course of things.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. a.
Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. a.
Ordibary course of procedure; usual way; comon state or condition of things; as, it is a rule to which there are many exeptions.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. a.
Conduct in general; behavior.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. a.
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. a.
An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. a.
A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. a.
A general principle concerning the formation or use of words, or a concise statement thereof; thus, it is a rule in England, that s or es , added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but "man" forms its plural "men", and is an exception to the rule.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. a.
A straight strip of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line; a ruler.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. a.
A measuring instrument consisting of a graduated bar of wood, ivory, metal, or the like, which is usually marked so as to show inches and fractions of an inch, and jointed so that it may be folded compactly.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. a.
A thin plate of metal (usually brass) of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. a.
A composing rule. See under Conposing.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. n.
To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; -- used chiefly in the passive.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. n.
To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. n.
To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. n.
To mark with lines made with a pen, pencil, etc., guided by a rule or ruler; to print or mark with lines by means of a rule or other contrivance effecting a similar result; as, to rule a sheet of paper of a blank book.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
19. v. i.
To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; -- often followed by over.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
20. v. i.
To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
21. v. i.
To keep within a (certain) range for a time; to be in general, or as a rule; as, prices ruled lower yesterday than the day before.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
22. n.
1 compulsory principle governing action. 2 prevailing custom or standard; normal state of things. 3 government or dominion (under british rule). 4 graduated straight measure; ruler. 5 code of discipline of a religious order. 6 order made by a judge or court with reference to a particular case only. 7 printing thin line or dash. v. (-ling) 1 dominate; keep under control. 2 (often foll. By over) have sovereign control of (rules over a vast kingdom). 3 (often foll. By that) pronounce authoritatively. 4 a make parallel lines across (paper). B make (a straight line) with a ruler etc. as a rule usually. Rule out exclude; pronounce irrelevant or ineligible. Rule the roost be in control. [latin regula]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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Additional Info
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