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.
