n.
- a regulation or principle governing conduct or procedure within a particular area of activity.
▸a code of practice and discipline for a religious community:
the Rule of St Benedict.
- control or government:
an end to British rule.
-
(the rule)
the normal or customary state of things.
- a straight strip of rigid material used for measuring; a ruler.
- a thin printed line or dash.
v.
- exercise ultimate power over (a people or nation).
▸exert a powerful and restricting influence on.
▸informal be very good or the best.
- pronounce authoritatively and legally to be the case.
-
[often as adj. ruled]
make parallel lines on (paper).
-
(rule something out/in)
exclude (or include) something as a possibility.
Phrase
- as a rule
usually, but not always. - rule of law
the restriction of power by well-defined and established laws. - rule of the road
a custom or law regulating the direction in which two vehicles should move to pass one another on meeting to avoid collision. - rule of thumb
a broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice rather than theory. - rule the roost
be in complete control.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. reule (n.), reuler (v.), from late L. regulare, from L. regula ‘straight stick’.