Scrabble Dictionary

Yes

Meaning of rule

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1 definition found

From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  rule
      n 1: a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
           "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short
           haircuts were the regulation" [syn: {rule}, {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}, {normal}, {pattern}, {rule}, {formula}]
      3: prescribed guide for conduct or action [syn: {rule},
         {prescript}]
      4: (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic
         practice [syn: {rule}, {linguistic rule}]
      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}, {rule}]
      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}, {rule}]
      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}, {rule}]
      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" [syn: {rule}, {formula}]
      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 [syn: {rule}, {ruler}]
      v 1: exercise authority over; as of nations; "Who is governing
           the country now?" [syn: {govern}, {rule}]
      2: decide with authority; "The King decreed that all firstborn
         males should be killed" [syn: {rule}, {decree}]
      3: be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
         "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this
         neighborhood" [syn: {predominate}, {dominate}, {rule},
         {reign}, {prevail}]
      4: decide on and make a declaration about; "find someone guilty"
         [syn: {rule}, {find}]
      5: have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
      6: mark or draw with a ruler; "rule the margins"
      7: keep in check; "rule one's temper" [syn: {rule}, {harness},
         {rein}]

WordNet ® Princeton University. http://wordnet.princeton.edu