rule : Idioms & Phrases

• noun a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem
  algorithmic program; algorithm.
  

WordNet

• as a general thing; in the main; usually; as, he behaves well, as a rule.

Webster 1913

• a rule for religious communities based upon the 109th letter of St. Augustine, and adopted by the Augustinian orders.

Webster 1913

• an instrument consisting of a rule or frame, and a plumb line, by which the batter or slope of a wall is regulated in building.

Webster 1913

• noun a rule of evidence requiring that to prove the content of a writing or recording or photograph the original is required
  

WordNet

• noun a measure used in computing board feet
  

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• a figured scale for finding without calculation the number of square feet in a board. Haldeman.

Webster 1913

• See under Board, Caliber, etc.

Webster 1913

• a gunner's calipers, an instrument having two scales arranged to determine a ball's weight from its diameter, and conversely.

Webster 1913

• noun a rule used by a carpenter
  

WordNet

• (Arith.), a theorem for solving numerical problems by composition of ratios, or compound proportion, by which, when several ratios of equality are given, the consequent of each being the same as the antecedent of the next, the relation between the first antecedent and the last consequent is discovered.

Webster 1913

• a thin strip of brass separating columns of type in the form, and making a line between them in printing.

Webster 1913

• (Print.), a thin slip of brass or steel, against which the type is arranged in a composing stick, or by the aid of which stickfuls or handfuls or type are lifted; called also setting rule.

Webster 1913

• (Eng. Law), an order of court (now abolished) allowing a prisoner, under certain circumstances, to go beyond the prison limits for a single day.

Webster 1913

• (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft.

Webster 1913

• noun a rule that provides that otherwise admissible evidence cannot be used in a criminal trial if it was the result of illegal police conduct
  

WordNet

• noun a ruler one foot long
  

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• a rule or measure twelve inches long.

Webster 1913

• noun a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body
  closure; cloture; gag law.
  

WordNet

• noun any important rule
  
  • the golden rule of teaching is to be clear
• noun a command based on Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount
  
  • Whatsoever ye would that men do unto you, do you even so unto them" (Matthew 7:12)

WordNet

• . (a) The rule of doing as we would have others do to us. Cf. Luke vi. 31. (b) The rule of proportion, or rule of three.

Webster 1913

• noun a linguistic rule for the syntax of grammatical utterances
  grammatical rule.
  

WordNet

• noun (baseball) a special rule (as in baseball) dealing with situations that arise due to the nature of the playing grounds
  

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• noun a rule that declares not admissible as evidence any statement other than that by a witness
  

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• noun a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
  heuristic program; heuristic.
  

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• noun self-government in local matters by a city or county that is part of a national government
  

WordNet

• rule or government of an appendent or dependent country, as to all local and internal legislation, by means of a governing power vested in the people within the country itself, in contradistinction to a government established by the dominant country; as, home rule in Ireland. Also used adjectively; as, home-rule members of Parliament.

Webster 1913

• (Parliamentary Practice), a rule of proceeding adopted by the concurrent action of both branches of a legislative assembly. "Resolved, by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that the sixteenth and seventeenth joint rules be suspended for the remainder of the session." Journal H. of R., U. S.

Webster 1913

• (Masonry), a long straight rule, used by bricklayers for securing straight joints and faces.

Webster 1913

• noun (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
  rule.
  

WordNet

• noun the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group
  democracy.
  

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• noun the rule that police (when interrogating you after an arrest) are obliged to warn you that anything you say may be used as evidence and to read you your constitutional rights (the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent until advised by a lawyer)
  

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• noun a linguistic rule for the formation of words
  morphological rule.
  

WordNet

• noun rule for calculating an expected delivery date; subtract three months from the first day of the last menstrual period and add seven days to that date
  

WordNet

• . (a) A tumult, or frolic, in the night; as if a corruption, of night revel. Obs. (b) Such conduct as generally rules, or prevails, at night.

  What night rule now about this haunted grove? Shak.

Webster 1913

• noun a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
  tyranny; absolutism; dictatorship; monocracy; Stalinism; shogunate; authoritarianism; despotism; Caesarism; totalitarianism.
  

WordNet

• noun a rule that oral evidence cannot be used to contradict the terms of a written contract
  

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• noun a plumb line attached to a narrow board
  

WordNet

• a narrow board with a plumb line, used by builders and carpenters.

Webster 1913

• noun a standard that is enforced uniformly without regard to individuality
  procrustean bed; procrustean standard.
  

WordNet

• noun a book of rules for presiding over a meeting; written by Henry M. Martin in 1876 and subsequently updated through many editions
  

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• noun a collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made
  book.
  
  • they run things by the book around here

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• verb include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules
  rule in.
  

WordNet

• a knuckle joint having shoulders that abut when the connected pieces come in line with each other, and thus permit folding in one direction only.

Webster 1913

• noun a rule that when literal compliance is impossible the intention of a donor or testator should be carried out as nearly as possible
  cy pres; cy pres doctrine.
  

WordNet

• noun (law) a rule of law whereby any alleged matter of fact that is submitted for investigation at a judicial trial is established or disproved
  

WordNet

• noun a linguistic rule for the syntax of grammatical utterances
  grammatical rule.
  

WordNet

• noun a state of order in which events conform to the law
  

WordNet

• noun a linguistic rule for the formation of words
  morphological rule.
  

WordNet

• (Arith.), that rule which directs, when three terms are given, how to find a fourth, which shall have the same ratio to the third term as the second has to the first; proportion. See Proportion, 5 (b).

Webster 1913

• noun a rule or principle that provides guidance to appropriate behavior
  guideline; guidepost.
  

WordNet

• any rude process or operation, like that of using the thumb as a rule in measuring; hence, judgment and practical experience as distinguished from scientific knowledge.

Webster 1913

• verb make impossible, especially beforehand
  close out; preclude.
  
• verb include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement with rules
  rule in.
  
• verb dismiss from consideration or a contest
  winnow out; reject; eliminate.
  
  • John was ruled out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi
  • This possibility can be eliminated from our consideration

WordNet

• adjective satellite according to custom or rule or natural law
  lawful.
  

WordNet

Rule"-mon`ger noun

Definitions

1. A stickler for rules; a slave of rules R. Hare.

Webster 1913

• (Geom.), any surface that may be described by a straight line moving according to a given law; called also a scroll.

Webster 1913

• noun a body of rules followed by an assembly
  parliamentary law; parliamentary procedure; order.
  

WordNet

• noun the class of people exerting power or authority
  people in power.
  

WordNet

• noun government of a political unit by its own people
  self-government; self-determination.
  

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• . (Print.) A composing rule.

Webster 1913

• (Eng. Law.), a rule authorized by the courts to be granted by their officers as a matter of course, without formal application being made to them in open court; so called because anciently moved for by the attorneys at side bar, that is, informally. Burril.

Webster 1913

• noun analog computer consisting of a handheld instrument used for rapid calculations; have been replaced by pocket calculators
  slipstick.
  

WordNet

• a mathematical instrument consisting of two parts, one of which slides upon the other, for the mechanical performance of addition and subtraction, and, by means of logarithmic scales, of multiplication and division.

Webster 1913

• . Same as Slide rule, under Slide, n.

Webster 1913

• (Print.), a fine, thin, short metal rule of the same height as the type, used in printing short lines in tabular matter.

Webster 1913

• noun a complex of methods or rules governing behavior
  system.
  
  • they have to operate under a system they oppose
  • that language has a complex system for indicating gender

WordNet

• (Law), to extend the time for complying with it. Abbott.

Webster 1913

• to be at the head of affairs. "The new-made duke that rules the roast."

Webster 1913

• noun a job action in which workers cause a slowdown by doing only the minimum amount required by the rules of the workplace
  

WordNet

• noun a rule that is adequate to permit work to be done
  working principle.
  

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