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Dictionary


rule



Pronunciation: (rOOl), [key]
—n., v., ruled, rul•ing.

—n.
1. a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.: the rules of chess.
2. the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation: the Franciscan rule.
3. the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc.: the rule rather than the exception.
4. control, government, or dominion: under the rule of a dictator.
5. tenure or conduct of reign or office: during the rule of George III.
6. a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem.
7. ruler (def. 2).
8. (cap.) Astron.the constellation Norma.
9. Print.a thin, type-high strip of metal, for printing a solid or decorative line or lines.
10. Law.
a. a formal order or direction made by a court, as for governing the procedure of the court (general rule) or for sending the case before a referee (special rule).
b. a legal principle.
c. a court order in a particular case.
11. rules, Penol.(formerly)
a. a fixed area in the neighborhood of certain prisons within which certain prisoners were allowed to live.
b. the freedom of such an area.
12. Obs.behavior.
13. as a rule, generally; usually: He arrives at eleven o'clock, as a rule.

—v.t.
1. to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern: to rule the empire with severity.
2. to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree: The judge ruled that he should be exiled.
3. to mark with lines, esp. parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like: to rule paper.
4. to mark out or form (a line) by this method: to rule lines on paper.
5. to be superior or preeminent in (a specific field or group); dominate by superiority; hold sway over: For centuries, England ruled the seas.

—v.i.
1. to exercise dominating power or influence; predominate.
2. to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty.
3. to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a point at law.
4. to be prevalent or current: Higher prices ruled throughout France.
5. rule out,
a. to prove to be unrelated or not for consideration; eliminate; exclude: to rule out the possibility of error.
b. to make impossible or impracticable: The rainstorm ruled out the holiday camping.
6. rule the roost. See roost (def. 4).

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

Rukeyserruled surface
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