rule
rule
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "rule" is /ruːl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
rule:
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: rule
Plural Noun: rules
Verb (base form): rule
Verb (third-person singular present): rules
Verb (present participle): ruling
Verb (past tense/past participle): ruled
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A principle or regulation governing conduct, procedure, or action, often established by authority or custom.
Synonyms: regulation, guideline, principle, directive, law, statute
Antonyms: exception, anomaly, deviation, discretion (in some contexts)
Definition 2: The exercise of supreme authority or control over a country, organization, or group of people.
Synonyms: governance, dominion, sovereignty, control, reign, command
Antonyms: anarchy, chaos, disorder, subjugation (if referring to the absence of one's own rule)
Definition 3: A standard or convention that is generally accepted as typical or correct for a particular situation or activity.
Synonyms: norm, standard, custom, convention, pattern
Antonyms: exception, irregularity, aberration, deviation
Verb
Definition 1: To exercise governing power or control over a country, group, or domain.
Synonyms: govern, command, control, reign, administer, manage
Antonyms: obey, follow, submit, yield, serve
Definition 2: To make an authoritative decision or pronouncement, especially in a legal or official capacity.
Synonyms: decide, decree, judge, determine, pronounce, ordain
Antonyms: defer, hesitate, question, doubt
Definition 3: To dominate or prevail over something, often in a figurative sense.
Synonyms: dominate, prevail, control, influence, master, guide
Antonyms: submit, yield, cede, surrender, be inferior to
Definition 4: (Often with "out" or "in") To exclude or include something as a possibility.
Synonyms: exclude, eliminate, include, consider (with "in")
Antonyms: consider (with "out"), entertain (with "out")
Examples of Use
Books:
"The first and most important rule for any aspiring writer is to read widely." (From "On Writing" by Stephen King, 2000)
"He understood that to change the system, you had to understand its rules first." (From "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, 1993)
Newspapers:
"The new traffic rules will come into effect next month, aiming to reduce congestion in the city center." (From The Daily Nation)
"Experts rule out a quick solution to the ongoing economic crisis, urging patience and long-term strategies." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Google's updated privacy rules sparked debate among users regarding data collection." (From TechCrunch)
"The golden rule of content creation is to provide value to your audience." (From Forbes.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You can't break the rules if you don't know what they are." (From the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, 2003)
Television: "In this kitchen, I rule." (Often heard in cooking competition shows like MasterChef, various episodes)
Video Games: "Failure to follow the rules will result in immediate disqualification." (Instructional text in Fortnite, various versions)
Music: "I rule the world, I run this show." (From the song "Run This Town" by Jay-Z ft. Rihanna and Kanye West, 2009)
General Public Discourse:
"We need to establish clear rules for online behavior to prevent cyberbullying." (Heard in a public forum on internet safety)
"Common sense should rule in situations like these, not rigid bureaucracy." (Expressed during a community meeting)
"It's a general rule of thumb that you should always back up your important files." (A common piece of advice shared informally)
10 Quotes Using Rule
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." (George Bernard Shaw)
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions. This policy of supplying, by opposite and rival interests, the defect of better motives, might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public. We see it particularly displayed in all the subordinate distributions of power, where the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other; that the private interest of every individual may be a sentinel over the public rights. These inventions of prudence cannot be less requisite in the distribution of the supreme powers of the state." (James Madison, Federalist No. 51)
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it." (Lord Acton)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." (Benjamin Franklin)
"A man's got to know his limitations." (Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry)
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." (Arthur Conan Doyle, A Scandal in Bohemia)
"Never rule out the possibility of a miracle." (Audrey Hepburn)
"When you rule your mind, you rule your world." (Joseph Murphy)
"The best way to rule is to serve." (African Proverb)
"The rule of law is better than the rule of any individual." (Aristotle)
Etymology
The word "rule" has a fascinating journey through language! At its heart, it's always been about straightness, guidance, and control.
Its origins can be traced back to the Latin word regula. This Latin word literally meant a "straight stick" or a "measuring stick," like the kind carpenters or builders would use to draw straight lines or ensure things were level. Think of a "ruler" (the measuring tool) – that's a direct descendant of this early meaning.
From this idea of a straight stick used for guidance, regula evolved to also mean a "pattern" or "model" to follow. If you have a good model, you follow it to get a correct result.
This Latin word then made its way into Old French as riuler (or reule), meaning "to impose rule" or "to guide."
By around the year 1200, "rule" entered the English language from Old French. Its very first known uses in English, as both a noun and a verb, reflected these core ideas:
As a noun: It meant a "principle or maxim governing conduct" or a "formula to which conduct must be conformed." Basically, a set of instructions or guidelines to live by. This is seen in texts like "Rule of St. Benet" (before 1225), which laid out the guidelines for monastic life.
As a verb: It meant "to control, guide, direct, or make conform to a pattern." So, to exert authority or lead in a straight manner.
So, from a simple straight stick used for measurement, "rule" grew to encompass the broader ideas of governing, guiding behavior, and setting standards, all rooted in that original concept of "keeping things straight" or "in line."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Rule
As a rule: Generally speaking; usually.
Golden rule: A fundamental principle to be followed to ensure success or good conduct (e.g., "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you").
Rule of thumb: A broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice rather than theory.
Rule of law: The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.
To rule out: To exclude or eliminate something as a possibility.
To rule in: To include or admit something as a possibility.
To rule the roost: To be in charge or dominant in a group or household.
To bend the rules: To act in a way that is not strictly allowed by the rules, but without openly breaking them.
To break the rules: To do something that is not allowed by a rule.
To make a rule of thumb: To adopt a practical and approximate method.
To live by the rule book: To follow rules very strictly.
Against the rules: Not permitted by the rules.
Beyond the rule: Outside the scope or influence of a particular rule.
To lay down the rules: To establish or set the regulations.
To give someone free rein: To give someone complete freedom of action. (Using a synonym of "rule" for similar effect)
To call the shots: To be in control and make the decisions. (Using a synonym of "rule" for similar effect)
To hold sway: To have great power or influence. (Using a synonym of "rule" for similar effect)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of rule from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
