rule

(noun) a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior. Synonyms: regulation. Examples: "It was his rule to take a walk before breakfast." "Short haircuts were the regulation."

(noun) something regarded as a normative example. Synonyms: convention, normal, pattern, formula. Examples: "The convention of not naming the main character." "Violence is the rule not the exception." "His formula for impressing visitors."

(noun) prescribed guide for conduct or action. Synonyms: prescript.

(noun) (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice. Synonyms: linguistic rule.

(noun) a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct. Synonyms: principle. Example: "Their principles of composition characterized all their works."

(noun) the duration of a monarch's or government's power. Example: "During the rule of elizabeth."

(noun) dominance or power through legal authority. Synonyms: dominion. Examples: "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of africa." "The rule of caesar."

(noun) directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted. Example: "He knew the rules of chess."

(noun) any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order. Example: "The rule of st. dominic."

(noun) a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system. Synonyms: principle. Examples: "The principle of the conservation of mass." "The principle of jet propulsion." "The right-hand rule for inductive fields."

(noun) (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems. Synonyms: formula. Examples: "He determined the upper bound with descartes' rule of signs." "He gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials."

(noun) 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. Synonyms: ruler.

(verb) exercise authority over; as of nations. Synonyms: govern. Example: "Who is governing the country now?."

(verb) decide with authority. Synonyms: decree. Example: "The king decreed that all firstborn males should be killed."

(verb) be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance. Synonyms: predominate, dominate, reign, prevail. Examples: "Money reigns supreme here." "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood."

(verb) decide on and make a declaration about. Synonyms: find. Example: "Find someone guilty."

(verb) have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac.

(verb) mark or draw with a ruler. Example: "Rule the margins."

(verb) keep in check. Synonyms: harness, rein. Example: "Rule one's temper."