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1. (law) the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
   - opinion
    
2. An order or decision from someone in authority

1. Exercising power or authority
   "The date of accession of each of the four members of the ruling dynasty was found";
   - regnant, reigning

1. Exercise authority over; as of nations
   "Who is ruling the country now?";
   - govern
    
2. Decide with authority
   "The King ruled that all firstborn males should be killed";
   - decree
    
3. Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   "Hispanics rule in this neighbourhood";
   - predominate, dominate, reign, prevail
    
4. Decide on and make a declaration about
   "rule someone guilty";
   - find
    
5. Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
    
6. Mark or draw with a ruler
   "rule the margins"
    
7. Keep in check
   "rule one's temper";
   - harness, rein
    
8. Distinguish oneself
   - excel, stand out, surpass

Derived forms: rulings

See also: powerful, rule out

Type of: accompany, attach to, bound, come with, command, confine, control, decide, determine, draw, go with, judge, judgement, judgment, judicial decision, label, limit, make up one's mind, pronounce, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel

Encyclopedia: Ruling