(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Norma.
9.
Printing. a thin, type-high strip of metal, for printing a solid or decorative line or lines.
10.
Law.
a.
a formal order or direction made by a court, as for governing the procedure of the court (general rule) or for sending the case before a referee (special rule).
b.
a legal principle.
c.
a court order in a particular case.
11.
rules, Penology. (formerly)
a.
a fixed area in the neighborhood of certain prisons within which certain prisoners were allowed to live.
[Origin: 1175–1225; (n.) ME riule, reule < OF riule < L régula straight stick, pattern (see regula); (v.) ME riwlen, reulen, rewellen < OF riuler, rieuler, ruler < LL régulāre, deriv. of régula]
—Synonyms 1. standard, law, ruling, guide, precept, order. See principle.4. command, domination, mastery, sway, authority, direction. 13.Rule,administer,command,govern,manage mean to exercise authoritative guidance or direction. Rule implies the exercise of authority as by a sovereign: to rule a kingdom. Administer places emphasis on the planned and orderly procedures used: to administer the finances of an institution. Command suggests military authority and the power to exact obedience; to be in command of: to command a ship. To govern is authoritatively to guide or direct persons or things, esp. in the affairs of a large administrative unit: to govern a state. To manage is to conduct affairs, i.e., to guide them in a unified way toward a definite goal, or to direct or control people, often by tact, address, or artifice: to manage a business. 14. order, judge.
Governing power or its possession or use; authority.
The duration of such power.
An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct, especially one of the regulations governing procedure in a legislative body or a regulation observed by the players in a game, sport, or contest.
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
A court order limited in application to a specific case.
A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter.
An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct, especially one of the regulations governing procedure in a legislative body or a regulation observed by the players in a game, sport, or contest.
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
A court order limited in application to a specific case.
A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter.
A usual, customary, or generalized course of action or behavior: "The rule of life in the defense bar ordinarily is to go along and get along"(Scott Turow).
A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases: In this office, hard work is the rule, not the exception.
Mathematics A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
Law
A court order limited in application to a specific case.
A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter.
c.1225, "principle or maxim governing conduct," from O.Fr. riule, from V.L. *regula, from L. regula "straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern," related to regere "to rule, straighten, guide" (see right). Replaced O.E. wealdan. Meaning "regulation governing play of a game, etc." is from 1697. Phrase rule of thumb first attested 1692. Rule of law "supremacy of impartial and well-defined laws to any individual's power" is from 1883. Meaning "Strip used for making straight lines" is recorded from 1340. Typography sense is attested from 1683.
c.1225, "to control, guide, direct," from O.Fr. riuler, from L. regulare. Legal sense is recorded from 1425 (ruling "judicial decision" is from 1560). Ruler "one who rules" is recorded from c.1375; meaning "strip used for making straight lines" is c.1400 (see rule (n.)). "Rule Brittania," patriotic song, is from 1740.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior; "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation"
2.
something regarded as a normative example; "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors" [syn: convention]
3.
prescribed guide for conduct or action
4.
(linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
5.
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct; "their principles of composition characterized all their works" [syn: principle]
6.
the duration of a monarch's or government's power; "during the rule of Elizabeth"
7.
dominance or power through legal authority; "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar" [syn: dominion]
8.
directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted; "he knew the rules of chess"
9.
any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order; "the rule of St. Dominic"
10.
a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system; "the principle of the conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion"; "the right-hand rule for inductive fields" [syn: principle]
11.
(mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems; "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials"
12.
measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
verb
1.
exercise authority over; as of nations; "Who is governing the country now?" [syn: govern]
2.
decide with authority; "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed"
3.
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood" [syn: predominate]
4.
decide on and make a declaration about; "find someone guilty"
Main Entry: rule Function: verb Inflected Forms: ruled; rul·ing transitive verb 1: to exercise authority or power over 2:
to determine and declare authoritatively; especially: to command or determine judicially <ruled the evidence inadmissible> intransitive verb 1: to exercise
supreme authority 2: to lay down a rule or ruling <ruled in favor of the plaintiff>
Main Entry: rule Function: noun 1 a: a prescribed guide for conduct or action b: a regulating principle or precept 2 a: an order or
directive issued by a court in a particular proceeding esp. upon petition of a party to the proceeding that commands an officer or party to perform an act or show cause why an act should not be
performed <a rule directing the district court to show cause why its ruling should not be vacated —People v. District Court, 797 Pacific Reporter, Second Series 1259 (1990)>
b: a usually judicially promulgated regulation having the force of law that governs judicial practice or procedure <rules of evidence> <rules of
appellate procedure> —see also RULE OF COURTc:RULE OF LAW 1 3: all or part of a statement (as a regulation) by an administrative agency that has general or particular applicability and future effect and that
is designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or that describes the organization, procedure, or practice of the agency itself <a rule subject to statutory notice and comment
requirements for informal rulemaking> 4 a: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or conduct in a body, organization, institution, or proceeding b: a resolution
of a legislative rules committee setting forth the terms for consideration of a particular bill by the entire body 5: the exercise of authority or control <majority
rule> —see also HOME RULE, RULE OF LAW 2
Rule, TX (town, FIPS 63752) Location: 33.18200 N, 99.89294 W Population (1990): 783 (442 housing units) Area: 1.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 79547
Rule\, n. Rule of the road (Law), any of the various regulations imposed upon travelers by land or water for their mutual convenience or safety. In the United States it is a rule of the road that land travelers passing in opposite directions shall turn out each to his own right, and generally that overtaking persons or vehicles shall turn out to the left; in England the rule for vehicles (but not for pedestrians) is the opposite of this. Run \Run\, n. 1. (Piquet, Cribbage, etc.) A number of cards of the same suit in sequence; as, a run of four in hearts. 2. (Golf) (a) The movement communicated to a golf ball by running. (b) The distance a ball travels after touching the ground from a stroke.
Ra"ti*o\, n. [L., fr. reri, ratus, to reckon, believe, think, judge. See Reason.]1. (Math.) The relation which one quantity or magnitude has to another of the same kind. It is expressed by the quotient of the division of the first by the second; thus, the ratio of 3 to 6 is expressed by 3/6 or 1/2; of a to b by a/b; or (less commonly) the second is made the dividend; as, a:b = b/a. Note: Some writers consider ratio as the quotient itself, making ratio equivalent to a number. The term ratio is also sometimes applied to the difference of two quantities as well as to their quotient, in which case the former is called arithmetical ratio, the latter, geometrical ratio. The name ratio is sometimes given to the rule of three in arithmetic. See under Rule. 2. Hence, fixed relation of number, quantity, or degree; rate; proportion; as, the ratio of representation in Congress. Compound ratio, Duplicate ratio, Inverse ratio, etc. See under Compound, Duplicate, etc. Ratio of a geometrical progression, the constant quantity by which each term is multiplied to produce the succeeding one.
Reg"let\ (r?g"l?t), n. [F. r['e]glet, dim. of r[`e]gle a rule, L. regula. See Rule.]1. (Arch.) A flat, narrow molding, used chiefly to separate the parts or members of compartments or panels from one another, or doubled, turned, and interlaced so as to form knots, frets, or other ornaments. See Illust. (12) of Column. 2. (Print.)A strip of wood or metal of the height of a quadrat, used for regulating the space between pages in a chase, and also for spacing out title-pages and other open matter. It is graded to different sizes, and designated by the name of the type that it matches; as, nonpareil reglet, pica reglet, and the like.
Reg"u*lar\ (-l?r), a. [L. regularis, fr. regula a rule, fr. regere to guide, to rule: cf. F. r['e]gulier. See Rule.]1. Conformed to a rule; agreeable to an established rule, law, principle, or type, or to established customary forms; normal; symmetrical; as, a regular verse in poetry; a regular piece of music; a regular verb; regular practice of law or medicine; a regular building. 2. Governed by rule or rules; steady or uniform in course, practice, or occurence; not subject to unexplained or irrational variation; returning at stated intervals; steadily pursued; orderlly; methodical; as, the regular succession of day and night; regular habits. 3. Constituted, selected, or conducted in conformity with established usages, rules, or discipline; duly authorized; permanently organized; as, a regular meeting; a regular physican; a regular nomination; regular troops. 4. Belonging to a monastic order or community; as, regular clergy, in distinction dfrom the secular clergy. 5. Thorough; complete; unmitigated; as, a regular humbug. [Colloq.] 6. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) Having all the parts of the same kind alike in size and shape; as, a regular flower; a regular sea urchin. 7. (Crystallog.) Same as Isometric. Regular polygon (Geom.), a plane polygon which is both equilateral and equiangular. Regular polyhedron (Geom.), a polyhedron whose faces are equal regular polygons. There are five regular polyhedrons, -- the tetrahedron, the hexahedron, or cube, the octahedron, the dodecahedron, and the icosahedron. Regular sales (Stock Exchange), sales of stock deliverable on the day after the transaction. Regular troops, troops of a standing or permanent army; -- opposed to militia. Syn: Normal; orderly; methodical. See Normal.
Rei"gle\ (r?"g'l), n. [F. r[`e]gle a rule, fr. L. regula. See Rule.] A hollow cut or channel for quiding anything; as, the reigle of a side post for a flood gate. --Carew.
Right\ (r[imac]t), a. [OE. right, riht, AS. riht; akin to D. regt, OS. & OHG. reht, G. recht, Dan. ret, Sw. r["a]tt, Icel. r["e]ttr, Goth. ra['i]hts, L. rectus, p. p. of regere to guide, rule; cf. Skr. [.r]ju straight, right. [root]115. Cf. Adroit,Alert, Correct, Dress, Regular, Rector, Recto, Rectum, Regent, Region, Realm, Rich, Royal, Rule.]1. Straight; direct; not crooked; as, a right line. "Right as any line." --Chaucer 2. Upright; erect from a base; having an upright axis; not oblique; as, right ascension; a right pyramid or cone. 3. Conformed to the constitution of man and the will of God, or to justice and equity; not deviating from the true and just; according with truth and duty; just; true. That which is conformable to the Supreme Rule is absolutely right, and is called right simply without relation to a special end. --Whately. 2. Fit; suitable; proper; correct; becoming; as, the right man in the right place; the right way from London to Oxford. 5. Characterized by reality or genuineness; real; actual; not spurious. "His right wife." --Chaucer. In this battle, . . . the Britons never more plainly manifested themselves to be right barbarians. --Milton. 6. According with truth; passing a true judgment; conforming to fact or intent; not mistaken or wrong; not erroneous; correct; as, this is the right faith. You are right, Justice, and you weigh this well. --Shak. If there be no prospect beyond the grave, the inference is . . . right, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." --Locke. 7. Most favorable or convenient; fortunate. The lady has been disappointed on the right side. --Spectator. 8. Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action is usually stronger than on the other side; -- opposed to left when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the right side, hand, arm. Also applied to the corresponding side of the lower animals. Became the sovereign's favorite, his right hand. --Longfellow. Note: In designating the banks of a river, right and left are used always with reference to the position of one who is facing in the direction of the current's flow. 9. Well placed, disposed, or adjusted; orderly; well regulated; correctly done. 10. Designed to be placed or worn outward; as, the right side of a piece of cloth. At right angles, so as to form a right angle or right angles, as when one line crosses another perpendicularly. Right and left, in both or all directions. [Colloq.] Right and left coupling (Pipe fitting), a coupling the opposite ends of which are tapped for a right-handed screw and a left-handed screw, respectivelly. Right angle. (a) The angle formed by one line meeting another perpendicularly, as the angles ABD, DBC. (b) (Spherics) A spherical angle included between the axes of two great circles whose planes are perpendicular to each other. Right ascension. See under Ascension. Right Center (Politics), those members belonging to the Center in a legislative assembly who have sympathies with the Right on political questions. See Center, n., 5. Right cone, Right cylinder, Right prism, Right pyramid (Geom.), a cone, cylinder, prism, or pyramid, the axis of which is perpendicular to the base. Right line. See under Line. Right sailing (Naut.), sailing on one of the four cardinal points, so as to alter a ship's latitude or its longitude, but not both. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. Right sphere (Astron. & Geol.), a sphere in such a position that the equator cuts the horizon at right angles; in spherical projections, that position of the sphere in which the primitive plane coincides with the plane of the equator. Note: Right is used elliptically for it is right, what you say is right, true. "Right," cries his lordship. --Pope. Syn: Straight; direct; perpendicular; upright; lawful; rightful; true; correct; just; equitable; proper; suitable; becoming.
Rule\, n. [OE. reule, riule, OF. riule, reule, F. r['e]gle, fr. L. regula a ruler, rule, model, fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to direct. See Right, a., and cf. Regular.]1. That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action; a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a regulation; a prescription; a precept; as, the rules of various societies; the rules governing a school; a rule of etiquette or propriety; the rules of cricket. We profess to have embraced a religion which contains the most exact rules for the government of our lives. --Tillotson. 2. Hence: (a) Uniform or established course of things. 'T is against the rule of nature. --Shak. (b) Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock. (c) Ordibary course of procedure; usual way; comon state or condition of things; as, it is a rule to which there are many exeptions. (d) Conduct in general; behavior. [Obs.] This uncivil rule; she shall know of it. --Shak. 3. The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control. Obey them that have the rule over you. --Heb. xiii. 17. His stern rule the groaning land obeyed. --Pope. 4. (Law) An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit. --Wharton. 5. (Math.) A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root. 6. (Gram.) A general principle concerning the formation or use of words, or a concise statement thereof; thus, it is a rule in England, that s or es, added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but "man" forms its plural "men", and is an exception to the rule. 7. (a) A straight strip of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line; a ruler. (b) A measuring instrument consisting of a graduated bar of wood, ivory, metal, or the like, which is usually marked so as to show inches and fractions of an inch, and jointed so that it may be folded compactly. A judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule. --South. 8. (Print.) (a) A thin plate of metal (usually brass) of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work. (b) A composing rule. See under Conposing. As a rule, as a general thing; in the main; usually; as, he behaves well, as a rule. Board rule, Caliber rule, etc. See under Board, Caliber, etc. Rule joint, a knuckle joint having shoulders that abut when the connected pieces come in line with each other, and thus permit folding in one direction only. Rule of three (Arith.), that rule which directs, when three terms are given, how to find a fourth, which shall have the same ratio to the third term as the second has to the first; proportion. See Proportion, 5 (b) . Rule of thumb, any rude process or operation, like that of using the thumb as a rule in measuring; hence, judgment and practical experience as distinguished from scientific knowledge. Syn: regulation; law; precept; maxim; guide; canon; order; method; direction; control; government; sway; empire.
Rule\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruling.] [Cf. OF. riuler, ruiler, L. regulare. See Rule, n., and cf. Regulate.]1. To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage. --Chaucer. A bishop then must be blameless; . . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection. --1 Tim. iii. 2, 4. 2. To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; -- used chiefly in the passive. I think she will be ruled In all respects by me. --Shak. 3. To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice. That's are ruled case with the schoolmen. --Atterbury. 4. (Law) To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court. 5. To mark with lines made with a pen, pencil, etc., guided by a rule or ruler; to print or mark with lines by means of a rule or other contrivance effecting a similar result; as, to rule a sheet of paper of a blank book. Ruled surface (Geom.), any surface that may be described by a straight line moving according to a given law; -- called also a scroll.
Rule\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruling.] [Cf. OF. riuler, ruiler, L. regulare. See Rule, n., and cf. Regulate.]1. To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage. --Chaucer. A bishop then must be blameless; . . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection. --1 Tim. iii. 2, 4. 2. To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; -- used chiefly in the passive. I think she will be ruled In all respects by me. --Shak. 3. To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice. That's are ruled case with the schoolmen. --Atterbury. 4. (Law) To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court. 5. To mark with lines made with a pen, pencil, etc., guided by a rule or ruler; to print or mark with lines by means of a rule or other contrivance effecting a similar result; as, to rule a sheet of paper of a blank book. Ruled surface (Geom.), any surface that may be described by a straight line moving according to a given law; -- called also a scroll.
Rule\, v. i. 1. To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; -- often followed by over. By me princes rule, and nobles. --Prov. viii. 16. We subdue and rule over all other creatures. --Ray. 2. (Law) To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule. --Burril. Bouvier. 3. (Com.) To keep within a (certain) range for a time; to be in general, or as a rule; as, prices ruled lower yesterday than the day before.
Rul"er\ (r[udd]l"[~e]r), n. 1. One who rules; one who exercises sway or authority; a governor. And he made him ruler over all the land. --Gen. xli. 43. A prince and ruler of the land. --Shak. 2. A straight or curved strip of wood, metal, etc., with a smooth edge, used for guiding a pen or pencil in drawing lines. Cf. Rule, n., 7 (a) . Parallel ruler. See under Parallel.
Three\, n. 1. The number greater by a unit than two; three units or objects. 2. A symbol representing three units, as 3 or iii. Rule of three. (Arith.) See under Rule, n.
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