rule
     n 1: a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
          "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast";
          "short haircuts were the regulation" [syn: {regulation}]
     2: something regarded as a normative example; "the convention
        of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule
        not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors"
        [syn: {convention}, {normal}, {pattern}, {formula}]
     3: prescribed guide for conduct or action [syn: {prescript}]
     4: (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a
        linguistic practice [syn: {linguistic rule}]
     5: a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can
        be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct; "their
        principles of composition characterized all their works"
        [syn: {principle}]
     6: a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the
        function of a complex system; "the principle of the
        conservation of mass"; "the principle of jet propulsion";
        "the right-hand rule for inductive fields" [syn: {principle}]
     7: the duration of a monarch's or government's power; "during
        the rule of Elizabeth"
     8: dominance or power through legal authority; "France held
        undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule
        of Caesar" [syn: {dominion}]
     9: directions that define the way a game or sport is to be
        conducted; "he knew the rules of chess"
     10: any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way
         of life of members of a religious order; "the rule of St.
         Dominic"
     11: (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of
         mathematical problems; "he determined the upper bound
         with Descartes' rule of signs"; "he gave us a general
         formula for attacking polynomials" [syn: {formula}]
     12: 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 [syn: {ruler}]
     v 1: exercise authority over; as of nations; "Who is governing
          the country now?" [syn: {govern}]
     2: decide with authority; "The King decreed that all first-born
        males should be killed" [syn: {decree}]
     3: be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
        "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in
        this neighborhood" [syn: {predominate}, {dominate}, {reign},
         {prevail}]
     4: decide on and make a declaration about; "find someone
        guilty" [syn: {find}]
     5: have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
     6: mark or draw with a ruler; "rule the margins"
     7: keep in check; "rule one's temper" [syn: {harness}, {rein}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0