Nearby Words
noun
1.
a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.: the rules of chess.
2.
the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation: the Franciscan rule.
3.
the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc.: the rule rather than the exception.
4.
control, government, or dominion: under the rule of a dictator.
5.
EXPANDtenure or conduct of reign or office: during the rule of George III.
6.
a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem.
7.
ruler (def. 2).
8.
(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.
b.
the freedom of such an area.
12.
COLLAPSEObsolete. behavior.
verb (used with object)
13.
to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern: to rule the empire with severity.
14.
to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree: The judge ruled that he should be exiled.
15.
to mark with lines, especially parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like: to rule paper.
16.
to mark out or form (a line) by this method: to rule lines on paper.
17.
to be superior or preeminent in (a specific field or group); dominate by superiority; hold sway over: For centuries, England ruled the seas.
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Self-rule
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
verb (used without object)
Verb phrase18.
to exercise dominating power or influence; predominate.
19.
to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty.
21.
to be prevalent or current: Higher prices ruled throughout France.
22.
Idiomsrule out,
a.
to prove to be unrelated or not for consideration; eliminate; exclude: to rule out the possibility of error.
b.
to make impossible or impracticable: The rainstorm ruled out the holiday camping.
23.
as a rule, generally; usually: He arrives at eleven o'clock, as a rule.
24.
rule the roost. roost (def. 6).
Origin:
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English riule, reule < Old French riule < Latin rēgula straight stick, pattern (see regula); (v.) Middle English riwlen, reulen, rewellen < Old French riuler, rieuler, ruler < Late Latin rēgulāre, derivative of rēgula
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English riule, reule < Old French riule < Latin rēgula straight stick, pattern (see regula); (v.) Middle English riwlen, reulen, rewellen < Old French riuler, rieuler, ruler < Late Latin rēgulāre, derivative of rēgula
Related forms
in·ter·rule, verb (used with object), -ruled, -rul·ing.
self-rule, noun
sub·rule, noun
un·der·rule, noun
un·der·rule, verb, -ruled, -rul·ing.
EXPANDSynonyms
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, especially 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.
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, especially 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To self-rule
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
rule
early 13c., "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 late 14c.; meaning "strip used for making straight lines" is c.1400 (see rule (n.)).
EXPAND"Rule Brittania," patriotic song, is from 1740.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
rule (r&oomacr;l)
n.
A usual, customary, or generalized course of action or behavior.
A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases; a standard.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Slang Dictionary
rule definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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