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Added 8 October 2026

rule

/ɹuːl/ noun

In Latin: rēgula, lēx, norma Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rule at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior.
it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Something regarded as a normative example.
the convention of not naming the main character
Prescribed guide for conduct or action.

verb

Exercise authority over; as of nations.
Who is governing the country now?
Decide with authority.
The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance.
Money reigns supreme here

Origin

From Middle English reule, rewle, rule, borrowed from Old French riule, reule, from Latin regula (“straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern”), from regō (“to keep straight, direct, govern, rule”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti (“to straighten; right”), from the root *h₃reǵ-; see regent. Doublet of rail, regal, regula, and rigol.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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