rule

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rule principle of procedure, conduct, etc.; code of religious life XIII; standard of estimation, etc.; graduated strip of wood or metal XIV; rule of thumb XVII. ME. riule, reule — OF. riule, reule, ruile :- Rom. *regula, for L. rēgula straight stick, bar, pattern, rel. to regere rule, rēx, rēg- king.
So rule vb. govern XIII; mark with lines XV. — OF. reuler — late L. rēgulāre REGULATE. Hence ruler (-ER1) XIV.

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