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The principles and rules of the art of poetry. J. Warton.

A government by many chiefs, princes, or rules. [Obs.] Cudworth.

Government by many rulers; polyarchy.

A method of solving a problem by one or two suppositions; -- called also the rule of trial and error. Angle of position (Astron.), the angle which any line (as that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line, specifically with a circle of declination. -- Double position (Arith.), the method of solving problems b…

rson when at rest or within easy range, or fired simply to kill, without reference to the rules of sport; a shot needling no special skill.

A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. "An irous potestate." Chaucer.

A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.

To spring or bound, as a horse in high mettle. Now rule thy prancing steed. Gay.

A judicial decision which serves as a rule for future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of proceeding to be followed in similar cases. Wharton.

Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting moral conduct; an injunction; a rule. For precept must be upon precept. Isa. xxviii. 10. No arts are without their precepts. Dryden.

One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.

le; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections. She is more precious than rules. Prov. iii. 15. Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid. Hooker.

or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality. The law in this point is not precise. Bacon. For the hour precise Exacts our parting hence. Milton.

An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly applied to the English Puritans. The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian. Macaulay.

or state of being precise; exact limitation; exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a standard; definiteness. I have left out the utmost precisions of fractions. Locke.

The act of predestinating. Predestination had overruled their will. Milton.

strength, influence, or authority; to have controlling power or influence; to prevail; to rule; to have the mastery; as, love predominated in her heart. [Certain] rays may predominate over the rest. Sir. I. Newton.

To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct. Prescribe not us our duties. Shak. Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run. Dryden.

According to the original rule or ancient practice; in the ancient style. South.

A principal or essential point or rule; a principle. [Obs.]