n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: ruled ; rul · ing
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to exert control, direction, or influence on <the passions that rule our minds> b : to exercise control over especially by curbing or restraining < rule a fractious horse> < ruled his appetites firmly>
2 a : to exercise authority or power over often harshly or arbitrarily <the speaker ruled the legislature with an iron hand> b : to be preeminent in : DOMINATE
3 : to determine and declare authoritatively especially : to command or determine judicially
4 a (1) : to mark with lines drawn along or as if along the straight edge of a ruler (2) : to mark (a line) on a paper with a ruler b : to arrange in a line
intransitive verb
1 a : to exercise supreme authority b : to be first in importance or prominence : PREDOMINATE <the physical did not rule in her nature ― Sherwood Anderson>
2 : to exist in a specified state or condition
3 : to lay down a legal rule
4 slang : to be extremely cool or popular ― used as a generalized term of praise or approval <for a little attitude at the right price, sneakers rule ― Tish Hamilton>
synonyms see DECIDE