rule

[[t]rul[/t]]

n. v. ruled, rul•ing

1) a principle or regulation governing conduct, procedure, arrangement, etc

2) the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, practice, quality, etc.:

the rule rather than the exception[/ex]

3) control, government, or dominion

4) tenure or conduct of reign or office

5) the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation

6) a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem

7) wam

ruler 2)

8) pri a solid or decorative line, as used for separating newspaper columns

9) law

a) a formal order made by a law court, esp. for governing the procedure of the court

b) a legal principle

c) a court order in a particular case

10) Obs. behavior

11) to exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern:

to rule a kingdom[/ex]

12) to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree

13) to mark with lines, esp. parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like:

to rule paper[/ex]

14) to mark out or form (a line) by this method

15) to be superior or preeminent in (a field or group); hold sway over

16) to exercise dominating power or influence; predominate

17) to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty

18) to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a point at law

19) to be prevalent or current

20) sl. to be especially popular, preeminent, or superlative:

The Yankees rule![/ex]

21) phv rule out

to eliminate from consideration

•

- as a rule

Etymology: 1175–1225; (n.) ME riule, reule < OF riule < L rēgula straight stick, pattern, der. ofregereto fix the line of, direct (see -ule); (v.) ME riwlen, reulen, rewellen < OF riuler, rieuler < LL rēgulāre, der. of L rēgula