in matters of literature, a maxim, canon, or precept, to be observed in any art or science.

in a monastic sense, a system of laws or regulations, according to which religious houses are governed, and which the religious make a vow, at their entrance, to observe. Such are the rules of the Augustines, Benedictines, Carthusians, Franciscans, &c. See Augustines, &c.

RULES of Court, in Law, are certain orders made from time to time in the courts of law, which attorneys are bound to observe, in order to avoid confusion; and both the plaintiff and defendant are at their peril also bound to pay obedience to rules made in court relating to the cause depending between them.

It is to be observed, that no court will make a rule for any thing that may be done in the ordinary course; and that if a rule be made, grounded upon an affidavit, the other side may move the court against it, in order to vacate the same, and thereupon shall bring into court a copy of the affidavit and rule. On the breach and contempt of a rule of court an attachment lies; but it is not granted for disobedience to a rule, when the party has not been personally served; nor for disobeying a rule made by a judge in his chamber, which is not of force to ground a motion upon, unless the same be entered.

A rule of court is granted every day the courts at Westminster sit, to prisoners of the King's-bench or Fleet prisons, to go at large about their private affairs.

RULE of Three. See Arithmetic and Proportion.

or Ruler, an instrument of wood or metal, with several lines delineated on it; of great use in practical mensuration. When a ruler has the lines of chords, tangents, sines, &c. it is called a plane scale.