· a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior; "it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast"; "short haircuts were the regulation"
Synonym(s): regulation
Hypernym(s): concept, conception, construct
· 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"
Synonym(s): convention, normal, pattern, formula
Hypernym(s): practice
· prescribed guide for conduct or action
Synonym(s): prescript
Hypernym(s): direction, instruction
· (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
Synonym(s): linguistic_rule
Hypernym(s): concept, conception, construct
· 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"
Synonym(s): principle
Hypernym(s): generalization, generalisation, generality
· the duration of a monarch's or government's power; "during the rule of Elizabeth"
Hypernym(s): duration, continuance
· dominance or power through legal authority; "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar"
Synonym(s): dominion
Hypernym(s): dominance, ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy, ascendency, control
· directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted; "he knew the rules of chess"
Hypernym(s): direction, instruction
· any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order; "the rule of St. Dominic"
Hypernym(s): direction, instruction
· 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"
Synonym(s): principle
Hypernym(s): law, law_of_nature
· (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"
Synonym(s): formula
Hypernym(s): procedure, process
· 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
Synonym(s): ruler
Hypernym(s): measuring_stick, measure, measuring_rod
· exercise authority over; as of nations; "Who is governing the country now?"
Synonym(s): govern
· decide with authority; "The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed"
Synonym(s): decree
Hypernym(s): decide, make_up_one%27s_mind, determine
· be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance; "Money reigns supreme here"; "Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood"
Synonym(s): predominate, dominate, reign, prevail
· decide on and make a declaration about; "find someone guilty"
Synonym(s): find
Hypernym(s): pronounce, label, judge
· have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
Hypernym(s): attach_to, accompany, come_with, go_with
· mark or draw with a ruler; "rule the margins"
Hypernym(s): draw
· keep in check; "rule one's temper"
Hypernym(s): restrain, keep, keep_back, hold_back