rules

1.

one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere.

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•
the rules of the game were understood
:
regulationrulingdirectiveordercourt orderactlawbylawstatuteedictcanonordinancepronouncementmandatecommanddictatedictumdecreefiatproclamationinjunctioncommandmentprescriptionstipulationrequirementpreceptguidelinedirectionukasepronunciamento
2.

control of or dominion over an area or people.

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•
the revolution brought an end to British rule
:
controljurisdictioncommandpowerswaydominiongovernmentadministrationsovereigntyleadershipascendancysupremacyauthoritydirectionmasteryhegemonyregimeinfluencerajregiment
1.

exercise ultimate power or authority over (an area and its people).

:
•
the region today is ruled by elected politicians
:
governcontrolleaddominaterunheaddirectadministermanageregulateswayhold swayreign
2.

pronounce authoritatively and legally to be the case.

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•
a federal court ruled that he was unfairly dismissed from his job
:
decreeorderdirectpronouncejudgeadjudgeadjudicatelay downordaindecidefinddetermineresolvesettleestablishholdasseverate
:
rulerulingrule inas a rulerule bookrule outgolden rule