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