Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rule
Rule
,Noun.
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 cricketWe 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. Shakespeare
(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. Shakespeare
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 root6.
(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. 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 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.
– 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
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ruled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ruling
.] 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
In all respects by me.
ruled
In all respects by me.
Shakespeare
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 bookRuled surface
(Geom.)
, any surface that may be described by a straight line moving according to a given law; – called also a
scroll
.Rule
,Verb.
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 beforeWebster 1828 Edition
Rule
RULE
,Noun.
1.
Government; sway; empire; control; supreme command or authority.A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame. Prov. 17.
And his stern rule the groaning land obey'd.
2.
That which is established as a principle, standard or directory; that by which any thing is to be adjusted or regulated, or to which it is to be conformed; that which is settled by authority or custom for guidance and direction. Thus a statute or law is a rule of civil conduct; a canon is a rule of ecclesiastical government; the precept or command of a father is a rule of action or obedience to children; precedents in law are rules of decision to judges; maxims and customs furnish rules for regulating our social opinions and manners. The laws of God are rules for directing us in life, paramount to all others.A rule which you do not apply, is no rule at all.
3.
An instrument by which lines are drawn. Judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule.
4.
Established mode or course of proceeding prescribed in private life. Every man should have some fixed rules for managing his own affairs.5.
In literature, a maxim, canon or precept to be observed in any art or science.6.
In monasteries, corporations or societies, a law or regulation to be observed by the society and its particular members.7.
In courts, rules are the determinations and orders of court, to be observed by its officers in conducting the business of the court.8.
In arithmetic and algebra, a determinate mode prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result.9.
In grammar, an establish form of construction in a particular class of words; or the expression of that form in words. Thus it is a rule in English, 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. Rule of three, is that rule of arithmetic 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.
RULE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To govern; to control the will and actions of others, either by arbitrary power and authority, or by established laws. The emperors of the east rule their subjects without the restraints of a constitution. In limited governments, men are ruled by known laws.If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 1Tim. 3.
2.
To govern the movements of things; to conduct; to manage; to control. That God rules the world he has created, is a fundamental article of belief.3.
To manage; to conduct, in almost any manner.4.
To settle as by a rule.That's a ruled case with the schoolmen.
5.
To mark with lines by a ruler; as, to rule a blank book.6.
To establish by decree or decision; to determine; as a court.RULE
,Verb.
I.
By me princes rule. Prov. 8.
It is often followed by over.
They shall rule over their oppressors. Is. 14.
We subdue and rule over all other creatures.