Rule

English Meaning

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.

1. Governing power or its possession or use; authority.
2. The duration of such power.
3. An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct, especially one of the regulations governing procedure in a legislative body or a regulation observed by the players in a game, sport, or contest.
4. The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
5. A usual, customary, or generalized course of action or behavior: "The rule of life in the defense bar ordinarily is to go along and get along” ( Scott Turow).
6. A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases: In this office, hard work is the rule, not the exception.
7. Mathematics A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
8. Law A court order limited in application to a specific case.
9. Law A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter.
10. See ruler.
11. Printing A thin metal strip of various widths and designs, used to print borders or lines, as between columns.
12. To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern.
13. To dominate by powerful influence.
14. To decide or declare authoritatively or judicially; decree. See Synonyms at decide.
15. To mark with straight parallel lines.
16. To mark (a straight line), as with a ruler.
17. To be in total control or command; exercise supreme authority.
18. To formulate and issue a decree or decision.
19. To prevail at a particular level or rate: Prices ruled low.
20. Slang To be excellent or superior: That new video game rules!
21. rule out To prevent; preclude: The snowstorm ruled out their weekly meeting.
22. rule out To remove from consideration; exclude: The option of starting over has been ruled out.
23. as a rule In general; for the most part: As a rule, we take the bus.