ru:l n. & v. --n. 1 a
principle to
which an
action conforms or is required to
conform. 2 a prevailing
custom or
standard;
the normal state of things. 3
government or
dominion (under
British rule; the rule of law). 4 a graduated
straight measure used in
carpentry etc.; a
ruler. 5
Printing a a
thin strip of
metal for separating headings, columns, etc. b a thin line or
dash. 6 a
code of
discipline of a
religious order. 7
Law an order
made by a
judge or
court with reference to a
particular case
only. 8 (Rules)
Austral. =
Australian Rules. --v. 1 tr.
exercise decisive influence over;
keep under control. 2 tr. & (foll. by over) intr.
have sovereign control of (rules over a
vast kingdom). 3 tr. (often foll. by
that + clause)
pronounce authoritatively (was ruled
out of order). 4 tr. a
make parallel lines
across (paper). b make (a straight line) with a ruler etc. 5 intr. (of prices or goods etc. in
regard to
price or
quality etc.) have a specified
general level; be for the
most part (the
market ruled high). 6 tr. (in
passive; foll. by by)
consent to
follow (advice etc.); be guided
by. øas a rule usually;
more often than not. by rule in a
regulation manner; mechanically. rule of the road see
ROAD(1). rule of
three a
method of
finding a
number in the
same ratio to
one given as exists
between two others given. rule of
thumb a rule for general
guidance, based on
experience or
practice rather than
theory. rule out
exclude; pronounce
irrelevant or
ineligible. rule the roost (or roast) be in control.
run the rule over
examine cursorily for correctness or adequacy. øøruleless adj. [ME f. OF reule, reuler f. LL regulare f. L regula straight stick]
