rule

rule (http://definr.com/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: 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: 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 [syn: decree]
     3: be larger in number, quantity, 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; of margins
     7: keep in check; "rule one's temper" [syn: harness, rein]