rule (Noun) — A principle or condition that customarily governs behaviour. ex. "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"
rule (Noun) — Something regarded as a normative example. ex. "violence is the rule not the exception"
rule (Noun) — Prescribed guide for conduct or action.
rule (Noun) — (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice.
rule (Noun) — A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct. ex. "their rules of composition characterized all their works"
rule (Noun) — The duration of a monarch's or government's power. ex. "during the rule of Elizabeth"
rule (Noun) — Dominance or power through legal authority. ex. "the rule of Caesar"
rule (Noun) — One of the directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted. ex. "he knew the rules of chess"
rule (Noun) — Any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order. ex. "the rule of St. Dominic"
rule (Noun) — A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system. ex. "the right-hand rule for inductive fields"
rule (Noun) — (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems. ex. "he determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs"
rule (Noun) — Measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood, metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths.
rule (Verb) — Exercise authority over; as of nations. ex. "Who is ruling the country now?"
rule (Verb) — Decide with authority. ex. "The King ruled that all firstborn males should be killed"
rule (Verb) — Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance. ex. "Hispanics rule in this neighbourhood"
rule (Verb) — Decide on and make a declaration about. ex. "rule someone guilty"
rule (Verb) — Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac.
rule (Verb) — Mark or draw with a ruler. ex. "rule the margins"
rule (Verb) — Keep in check. ex. "rule one's temper"
rule (Verb) — Distinguish oneself.