Reference.com

1,483 results for: rule

Dictionary Entries (33 more entries. View all »)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
rule    Audio Help   [rool] Pronunciation Key, noun, verb, ruled, rul·ing.
–noun
1.a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.: the rules of chess.
2.the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation: the Franciscan rule.
3.the customary or normal circumstance, occurrence, manner, practice, quality, etc.: the rule rather than the exception.
4.control, government, or dominion: under the rule of a dictator.
5.tenure or conduct of reign or office: during the rule of George III.
6.a prescribed mathematical method for performing a calculation or solving a problem.
7.ruler (def. 2).
8.(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Norma.
9.Printing. a thin, type-high strip of metal, for printing a solid or decorative line or lines.
10.Law.
a.a formal order or direction made by a court, as for governing the procedure of the court (general rule) or for sending the case before a referee (special rule).
b.a legal principle.
c.a court order in a particular case.
11.rules, Penology. (formerly)
a.a fixed area in the neighborhood of certain prisons within which certain prisoners were allowed to live.
b.the freedom of such an area.
12.Obsolete. behavior.
–verb (used with object)
13.to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern: to rule the empire with severity.
14.to decide or declare judicially or authoritatively; decree: The judge ruled that he should be exiled.
15.to mark with lines, esp. parallel straight lines, with the aid of a ruler or the like: to rule paper.
16.to mark out or form (a line) by this method: to rule lines on paper.
17.to be superior or preeminent in (a specific field or group); dominate by superiority; hold sway over: For centuries, England ruled the seas.
–verb (used without object)
18.to exercise dominating power or influence; predominate.
19.to exercise authority, dominion, or sovereignty.
20.to make a formal decision or ruling, as on a point at law.
21.to be prevalent or current: Higher prices ruled throughout France.
—Verb phrase
22.rule out,
a.to prove to be unrelated or not for consideration; eliminate; exclude: to rule out the possibility of error.
b.to make impossible or impracticable: The rainstorm ruled out the holiday camping.
—Idioms
23.as a rule, generally; usually: He arrives at eleven o'clock, as a rule.
24.rule the roost. roost (def. 6).
[Origin: 1175–1225; (n.) ME riule, reule < OF riule < L régula straight stick, pattern (see regula); (v.) ME riwlen, reulen, rewellen < OF riuler, rieuler, ruler < LL régulāre, deriv. of régula]

—Synonyms 1. standard, law, ruling, guide, precept, order. See principle. 4. command, domination, mastery, sway, authority, direction. 13. Rule, administer, command, govern, manage mean to exercise authoritative guidance or direction. Rule implies the exercise of authority as by a sovereign: to rule a kingdom. Administer places emphasis on the planned and orderly procedures used: to administer the finances of an institution. Command suggests military authority and the power to exact obedience; to be in command of: to command a ship. To govern is authoritatively to guide or direct persons or things, esp. in the affairs of a large administrative unit: to govern a state. To manage is to conduct affairs, i.e., to guide them in a unified way toward a definite goal, or to direct or control people, often by tact, address, or artifice: to manage a business. 14. order, judge.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Thesaurus Entries (10 more entries. View all »)
  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  rule
Part of Speech:  noun
Definition:  A code or set of codes governing action or procedure, for example.
Synonyms:  dictate, prescript, regulation, rubric
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  boss
Part of Speech:  verb
Definition:  To command or issue commands in an arrogant manner.
Synonyms:  dictate, dominate, domineer, order, tyrannize
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  control
Part of Speech:  verb
Definition:  To exercise authority or influence over.
Synonyms:  direct, dominate, govern
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.


Encyclopedia Articles (1,435 more entries. View all »)
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia - Cite This Source

equal-time rule, a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires equal air time for all major candidates competing for political office. It was preceded by the fairness doctrine, abolished in 1987, which required radio and television broadcasters to air contrasting views on controversial public issues.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press.
Licensed from Columbia University Press


View results from: Dictionary | Thesaurus | Encyclopedia | All Reference | the Web

Perform a new search, or try your search for "rule" at: