rule (r l)n. 1. a. Governing power or its possession or use; authority. b. The duration of such power. 2. a. 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. b. The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members. 3. 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). 4. A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases: In this office, hard work is the rule, not the exception. 5. Mathematics A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems. 6. Law a. A court order limited in application to a specific case. b. A subordinate regulation governing a particular matter. 7. See ruler. 8. Printing A thin metal strip of various widths and designs, used to print borders or lines, as between columns. v. ruled, rul·ing, rules v.tr. 1. To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern. 2. To dominate by powerful influence. 3. To decide or declare authoritatively or judicially; decree. See Synonyms at decide. 4. a. To mark with straight parallel lines. b. To mark (a straight line), as with a ruler. v.intr. Phrasal Verb: 1. To be in total control or command; exercise supreme authority. 2. To formulate and issue a decree or decision. 3. To prevail at a particular level or rate: Prices ruled low. 4. Slang To be excellent or superior: That new video game rules! rule out Idiom: 1. To prevent; preclude: The snowstorm ruled out their weekly meeting. 2. To remove from consideration; exclude: The option of starting over has been ruled out. as a rule In general; for the most part: As a rule, we take the bus. [Middle English reule, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *regula, from Latin r  gula, rod, principle; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]rul  a·ble adj. |
Rules [ruːlz]
pl n
1. (Team Sports / Australian Rules Football) short for Australian Rules (football)
(Historical Terms)
the Rules English history the neighbourhood around certain prisons (esp the Fleet and King's Bench prison) in which trusted prisoners were allowed to live under specified restrictions
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