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   rule

   /ruːl/

   noun

   • 1. one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct or procedure within a particular area of activity: "the rules of cricket" Similar regulationrulingdirectiveordercourt orderactlawby-lawstatuteedictcanonordinancepronouncementmandatecommanddictatedictumdecreefiatproclamationinjunctioncommandmentprescriptionstipulationrequirementpreceptguidelinedirectionukasepronunciamento
   • ▪ a principle that operates within a particular sphere of knowledge, describing or prescribing what is possible or allowable: "the rules of grammar" Similar preceptprinciplestandardaxiomtruthtruismmaximaphorism
   • ▪ a code of practice and discipline for a religious order or community: "the Rule of St Benedict"
   • 2. control of or dominion over an area or people: "the revolution brought an end to British rule" Similar controljurisdictioncommandpowerswaydominiongovernmentadministrationsovereigntyleadershipascendancysupremacyauthoritydirectionmasteryhegemonyregimeinfluencerajarchaic:regiment
   • 3. the normal or customary state of things: "such accidents are the exception rather than the rule" Similar procedurepracticeprotocolconventionstandardnormformroutinecustomhabitwontformal:praxis
   • 4. a strip of wood or other rigid material used for measuring length or marking straight lines; a ruler.
   • ▪ a thin printed line or dash.
   • 5. short for Australian Rules Australian

   verb

   • 1. exercise ultimate power or authority over (an area and its people): "the region today is ruled by elected politicians" Similar governpreside overcontrolhave control ofbe in control ofleadbe the leader ofdominaterunheaddirectadministermanageregulateliterary:swaybe in powerbe in controlhold swaybe in authoritybe in commandbe in chargegovernbe at the helmreignsit on the thronewear the crownwield the sceptrebe monarchbe sovereign
   • ▪ (of a feeling) have a powerful and restricting influence on: "her whole life seemed to be ruled by fear"
   • ▪ be a dominant or powerful factor: "the black market rules supreme" Similar prevailobtainbe the order of the daypredominatehold swaybe supreme
   • ▪ be very good or the best: informal "Jackie tells me about Hanna's newest band, and says that it absolutely rules"
   • ▪ (of a planet) have a particular influence over (a sign of the zodiac, house, etc.): "the tenth House, ruled by Saturn and associated with Capricorn"
   • 2. pronounce authoritatively and legally to be the case: "an industrial tribunal ruled that he was unfairly dismissed from his job" Similar decreeorderdirectpronouncemake a judgementjudgeadjudgeadjudicatelay downordaindecidefinddetermineresolvesettleestablishholdrare:asseverate
   • 3. make parallel lines across (paper): "rule the pages horizontally and print the information within the rules."
   • 4. (of a price or a traded commodity with regard to its price) have a specified general level or strength: "in the jutes section Indus and Pak Jute ruled firm"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French reule (noun), reuler (verb), from late Latin regulare, from Latin regula ‘straight stick’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. ruleless adjective

   Scrabble Points: 4

   • R

     1

   • U

     1

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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