· 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

Hypernym(s): control, command

· 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"

Synonym(s): harness, rein

Hypernym(s): restrict, restrain, trammel, limit, bound, confine, throttle