rules
Code of conduct
Rules are established guidelines governing conduct or procedure.
Games have rules; so do institutions, religions, and social settings.
To rule is to govern or decide authoritatively: The court ruled in her favor.
A ruler measures straight lines—and also governs.
Something that rules is dominant or excellent: That song rules.
As a rule, something happens generally or usually.
Guidance on how to proceed
- directionsGuidance for reaching somewhere
- proceduresSet methods for tasks
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
criteria · protocols · recommendations · principles · best practices · manual · handbook · how-to
Binding principle or regulation
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- statuteEnacted written rule
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
decree · edict · mandate · jurisdiction · enforcement · policy · compliance · parliament
Compliance with authority
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- correctionFixing of mistakes
strictness · authority · compliance · training · regimen · self-control · detention · suspension
Rules of polite conduct
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- decorumFitting social conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- conventionsAccepted social practices
customs · norms · propriety · behavior · code · mores · taboo · dress code
Hearth implement for coals
- chessStrategic board game
- blackjackCard game to twenty-one
- MonopolyProperty trading board game
- ScrabbleTile-based word game
dominoes · baccarat · roulette · craps · bingo · backgammon · solitaire · uno
Language's structural rules
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- conjugationVerb form variation system
declension · agreement · tense · case · prescriptive · descriptive · exception · irregular
Limitations on action
- prohibitionsFormal orders against something
- constraintsLimits on action
- boundariesLines marking separation
- bansOfficial restrictions imposed
caps · ceilings · exclusions · conditions · exceptions · loopholes · exemptions · waivers
instructions
Guidance on how to proceed
- directionsGuidance for reaching somewhere
- proceduresSet methods for tasks
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
specifications · criteria · protocols · recommendations · principles · best practices · manual · handbook · how-to · dos and don'ts
law
Binding principle or regulation
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- statuteEnacted written rule
ordinance · decree · edict · mandate · jurisdiction · enforcement · policy · compliance · parliament · judiciary
obedience
Compliance with authority
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- consequencesResults of actions taken
correction · strictness · authority · compliance · training · regimen · self-control · detention · suspension · expulsion
etiquette
Rules of polite conduct
conventions · customs · norms · propriety · behavior · code · mores · taboo · dress code · social norms
poker
Hearth implement for coals
Scrabble · dominoes · baccarat · roulette · craps · bingo · backgammon · solitaire · uno · referee
grammar
Language's structural rules
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
conjugation · declension · agreement · tense · case · prescriptive · descriptive · exception · irregular · usage
restrictions
Limitations on action
- prohibitionsFormal orders against something
- constraintsLimits on action
- boundariesLines marking separation
bans · caps · ceilings · exclusions · conditions · exceptions · loopholes · exemptions · waivers · stipulations
- game playscoring, turns, winning, losing, strategy
- game termslevel, score, player, win, lose
- game nightboard games, card games, players, turns, dice
- game mechanicslevels, cooldown, points, health points, score
- constraintsconstraint, limits, restrictions, deadline, restraints
- debatesmoderator, podium, lectern, rebuttal, rebuttals
rulesanarchy
Disorder from absent authority
chaos · lawlessness · disorder · freedom · liberty
rulessuggestions
Proposed ideas or advice
recommendations · guidelines · options · advice · proposals
- 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
rule, ruler, ruling, ruled, unruly, rulers, rule-breaking, overrule, rulings