rule
Dictates proper conduct
The ideas that pervade the meanings of the noun and verb rule are standard and authority.
As a count noun, a rule is a principle that governs conduct, play, or behavior.
As an uncountable noun, rule denotes control by government or some other principle: the rule of Queen Christina.
As a verb, rule means to govern or control with authority.
When a judge rules, she decides the outcome of a case.
When a sovereign rules, he holds responsibility for governing his country.
Binding principle or regulation
- statuteEnacted written rule
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- bylawInternal governing rule
- codeSymbolic communication system
decree · edict · directive · mandate · provision · clause · amendment · enactment
Authority over a state
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- regimeSystem of governance
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
jurisdiction · dominion · reign · parliament · democracy · autocracy · monarchy · dictatorship
Fundamental truth or standard
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- normAccepted behavioral standard
- guidelineRecommended standard for action
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
procedure · convention · maxim · precept · tenet · doctrine · axiom · canon
Energy transfer rate
- controlAuthority to direct
- supremacyHighest rank or power
- hegemonyDominant group's control
- dominationSupreme authority held
subjugation · tyranny · oppression · imperialism · colonialism · authoritarianism · despotism · totalitarianism
Trained self-control or specialty
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- systemConnected parts forming whole
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
conformity · uniformity · consistency · stability · coordination · arrangement · routine · regiment
Compiled official guidelines
- rulesetCollection of governing principles
- gameplayInteractive elements of gaming
- turnRotational movement
- moveChange location or act
player · violation · penalty · foul · disqualification · referee · umpire · sportsmanship
Line-drawing tool
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- meterstickOne-hundred-centimeter measuring tool
- measuringDetermining size or amount
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
line · edge · mark · inch · centimeter · drafting · scale · grid
law
Binding principle or regulation
code · decree · edict · directive · mandate · provision · clause · amendment · enactment · charter
government
Authority over a state
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- regimeSystem of governance
sovereignty · jurisdiction · dominion · reign · parliament · democracy · autocracy · monarchy · dictatorship · bureaucracy
principle
Fundamental truth or standard
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- normAccepted behavioral standard
- guidelineRecommended standard for action
protocol · procedure · convention · maxim · precept · tenet · doctrine · axiom · canon · dictum
power
Energy transfer rate
domination · subjugation · tyranny · oppression · imperialism · colonialism · authoritarianism · despotism · totalitarianism · strongman
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- systemConnected parts forming whole
- organizationStructured group with purpose
hierarchy · conformity · uniformity · consistency · stability · coordination · arrangement · routine · regiment · obedience
rulebook
Compiled official guidelines
- rulesetCollection of governing principles
- gameplayInteractive elements of gaming
- turnRotational movement
move · player · violation · penalty · foul · disqualification · referee · umpire · sportsmanship · loophole
straightedge
Line-drawing tool
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- meterstickOne-hundred-centimeter measuring tool
- measuringDetermining size or amount
calibration · line · edge · mark · inch · centimeter · drafting · scale · grid · parallel
- controlremote control, self-control, birth control, crowd control, cruise control
- abstractionsidea, concept, abstraction, thought, meaning
- leadershipleadership styles, leader, leadership skills, boss, leading
- monarchyking, queen, prince, princess, crown
- authorityleaders, monarch, bosses, sovereign, chiefs
- conquestwar of conquest, capture, invasion, domination, subjugation
ruleanarchy
Disorder from absent authority
chaos · lawlessness · disorder · serve · submit
ruleexception
Deviation from standard
anomaly · irregularity · deviation · aberration · outlier
rulesuggestion
Idea proposed for consideration
request · recommendation · option · guideline · plea
- rule outEliminate as option
- rule of thumbPractical approximation, not strict
- ground rulesFundamental operating procedures
- ruled outDismissed as impossible
- rule of the roadStandard governing vehicle movement
- house rulesEstablishment's own regulations
ruler, rules, ruling, ruled, unruly, rulers, overrule, misrule, overrules