I. ˈlȯ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lagu, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse lǫg law; akin to Old English licgan to lie — more at lie
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority
(2) : the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules
(3) : common law
b.
(1) : the control brought about by the existence or enforcement of such law
(2) : the action of laws considered as a means of redressing wrongs ; also : litigation
(3) : the agency of or an agent of established law
c. : a rule or order that it is advisable or obligatory to observe
d. : something compatible with or enforceable by established law
e. : control , authority
2.
a. often capitalized : the revelation of the will of God set forth in the Old Testament
b. capitalized : the first part of the Jewish scriptures : Pentateuch , Torah — see bible table
3. : a rule of construction or procedure
the law s of poetry
4. : the whole body of laws relating to one subject
5.
a. : the legal profession
b. : law as a department of knowledge : jurisprudence
c. : legal knowledge
6.
a. : a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions
b. : a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions
•
- at law
Synonyms:
law , rule , regulation , precept , statute , ordinance , canon mean a principle governing action or procedure. law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority
obey the law
rule applies to more restricted or specific situations
the rules of the game
regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system
regulations affecting nuclear power plants
precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching
the precepts of effective writing
statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body
a statute requiring the use of seat belts
ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality
a city ordinance
canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide
the canons of good taste
Synonym: see in addition hypothesis .
II. verb
Date: circa 1550
intransitive verb
: litigate
transitive verb
chiefly dialect : to sue or prosecute at law