rule Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
    regulation.
    • it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
    • short haircuts were the regulation
  2. noun something regarded as a normative example
    formula; pattern; normal; convention.
    • the convention of not naming the main character
    • violence is the rule not the exception
    • his formula for impressing visitors
  3. noun prescribed guide for conduct or action
    prescript.
  4. noun (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
    linguistic rule.
  5. noun a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
    principle.
    • their principles of composition characterized all their works
  6. noun the duration of a monarch's or government's power
    • during the rule of Elizabeth
  7. noun dominance or power through legal authority
    dominion.
    • France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa
    • the rule of Caesar
  8. noun directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
    • he knew the rules of chess
  9. noun any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
    • the rule of St. Dominic
  10. noun a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system
    principle.
    • the principle of the conservation of mass
    • the principle of jet propulsion
    • the right-hand rule for inductive fields
  11. noun (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems
    formula.
    • he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs
    • he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials
  12. noun measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
    ruler.
  13. verb exercise authority over; as of nations
    govern.
    • Who is governing the country now?
  14. verb decide with authority
    decree.
    • The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed
  15. verb be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
    dominate; prevail; reign; predominate.
    • Money reigns supreme here
    • Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
  16. verb decide on and make a declaration about
    find.
    • find someone guilty
  17. verb have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
  18. verb mark or draw with a ruler
    • rule the margins
  19. verb keep in check
    rein; harness.
    • rule one's temper

WordNet

Rule noun
Etymology
OE. reule, riule, OF. riule, reule, F. régle, fr. L. regula a ruler, rule, model, fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to direct. See Right, a., and cf. Regular.
Definitions
  1. 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.
    We profess to have embraced a religion which contains the most exact rules for the government of our lives. Tillotson.
  2. Hence: (a) Uniform or established course of things.
    'T is against the rule of nature. Shak.
    (b) Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock. (c) Ordibary course of procedure; usual way; comon state or condition of things; as, it is a rule to which there are many exeptions. (d) Conduct in general; behavior. Obs.
    This uncivil rule; she shall know of it. Shak.
  3. The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
    Obey them that have the rule over you. Heb. xiii. 17.
    His stern rule the groaning land obeyed. Pope.
  4. (Law) An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit. Wharton.
  5. (Math.) A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.
  6. (Gram.) 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.
  7. (a) A straight strip of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line; a ruler. (b) 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.
    A judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule. South.
  8. (Print.) (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. (b) A composing rule. See under Conposing. Syn. -- regulation; law; precept; maxim; guide; canon; order; method; direction; control; government; sway; empire.
Rule transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. OF. riuler, ruiler, L. regulare. See Rule, n., and cf. Regulate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ruled ; present participle & verbal noun Ruling
Definitions
  1. To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage. Chaucer.
    A bishop then must be blameless; . . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection. 1 Tim. iii. 2, 4.
  2. To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; -- used chiefly in the passive.
    I think she will be ruled In all respects by me. Shak.
  3. To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
    That's are ruled case with the schoolmen. Atterbury.
  4. (Law) To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court.
  5. 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.
Rule intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; -- often followed by over.
    By me princes rule, and nobles. Prov. viii. 16.
    We subdue and rule over all other creatures. Ray.
  2. (Law) To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule. Burril. Bouvier.
  3. (Com.) 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.

Webster 1913