rule in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   convention  normal  pattern  rule  formula 
   
2. dominance or power through legal authority
   "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar"
   dominion  rule 
   
3. (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"
   rule  formula 
   
4. (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
   rule  linguistic rule 
   
5. prescribed guide for conduct or action
   rule  prescript 
   
6. 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"
   principle  rule 
   
7. 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"
   principle  rule 
   
8. a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
   "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation"
   rule  regulation 
   
9. 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
   rule  ruler 
   
10. directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
    "he knew the rules of chess"
    rule 
    
11. any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
    "the rule of St. Dominic"
    rule 
    
12. the duration of a monarch's or government's power
    "during the rule of Elizabeth"
    rule 
    

1. decide with authority
   "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed"
   rule  decree 
   
2. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
   predominate  dominate  rule  reign  prevail 
   
3. decide on and make a declaration about
   "find someone guilty"
   rule  find 
   
4. exercise authority over; as of nations
   "Who is governing the country now?"
   govern  rule 
   
5. keep in check
   "rule one's temper"
   rule  harness  rein 
   
6. mark or draw with a ruler
   "rule the margins"
   rule 
   
7. have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
   rule