RULE


Meaning of RULE in English

I. ˈrül noun

Etymology: Middle English reule, from Anglo-French, from Latin regula straightedge, rule, from regere to keep straight, direct — more at right

Date: 13th century

1.

a. : a prescribed guide for conduct or action

b. : the laws or regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its members

c. : an accepted procedure, custom, or habit

d.

(1) : a usually written order or direction made by a court regulating court practice or the action of parties

(2) : a legal precept or doctrine

e. : a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or controlling conduct

2.

a.

(1) : a usually valid generalization

(2) : a generally prevailing quality, state, or mode

fair weather was the rule yesterday — New York Times

b. : a standard of judgment : criterion

c. : a regulating principle

d. : a determinate method for performing a mathematical operation and obtaining a certain result

3.

a. : the exercise of authority or control : dominion

b. : a period during which a specified ruler or government exercises control

4.

a. : a strip of material marked off in units used especially for measuring : ruler 3, tape measure

b. : a metal strip with a type-high face that prints a linear design ; also : a linear design produced by or as if by such a strip

Synonyms: see law

- as a rule

II. verb

( 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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.