WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Rule
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. reule, riule, OF. riule, reule, F. r?gle, fr. L. regula a ruler, rule, model, fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to direct. See Right, a., and cf. Regular.]
Definition : 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)

Defn: An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit. Wharton.

5. (Math.)

Defn: A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.

6. (Gram.)

Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Rule
Part of Speech : v.
Etymology : [Cf. OF. riuler, ruiler, L. regulare. See Rule, n., and cf. Regulate.]
Definition : 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)

Defn: 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.

t. [imp. & p. p. Ruled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruling.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Rule
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : 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)

Defn: To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule. Burril. Bouvier.

3. (Com.)

Defn: 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.

i.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913