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Predominant; chief; reigning; controlling; as, a ruling passion; a ruling sovereign.

In a ruling manner; so as to rule.

Exerting controlling power; as, an overruling Providence. -- O`ver*rul"ing*ly, adv.

A suffix properly meaning a rule, ruling, as in monarchy, the rule of one only. Cf. -arch.

A ruling body composed of the best citizens. [Obs.] In the Senate Right not our quest in this, I will protest them To all the world, no aristocracy. B. Jonson.

One of the aristocracy or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble.

Superior; surpassing; ruling. An ascendant spirit over him. South. The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth. J. S. Mill. Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote.

To condemn to exile, or compel to leave one's country, by authority of the ruling power. "We banish you our territories." Shak.

The council or ruling body of the University of Cambridge prior to the constitution of 1856. Your caputs and heads of colleges. Lamb. Caput mortuum (. Etym: [L., dead head.] (Old Chem.) The residuum after distillation or sublimation; hence, worthless residue.

Christianity teaches nothing but what is perfectly suitable to, and coincident with, the ruling principles of a virtuous and well- inclined man. South.

e of heart; a change from the service of the world to the service of God; a change of the ruling disposition of the soul, involving a transformation of the outward life. He oft Frequented their assemblies, . . . and to them preached Conversion and repentance, as to souls In prison under judgments imminent. Milton.…

To destroy the power or ruling influence of; to subdue completely; to mortify. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. Gal. v. 24.

Ruling; governing; prevailing; controlling; predominant; as, the dominant party, church, spirit, power. The member of a dominant race is, in his dealings with the subject race, seldom indeed fraudulent, . . . but imperious, insolent, and cruel. Macaulay. Dominant estate or tenement (Law), the estate to which a servitud…

The act of dominating; exercise of power in ruling; dominion; supremacy; authority; often, arbitrary or insolent sway. In such a people, the haugtiness of domination combines with the spirit of freedom. Burke.

Governing; ruling; imperious. Sir E. Sandys.

A ruler or ruling power. "Sole dominator of Navarre." Shak. Jupiter and Mars are dominators for this northwest part of the world. Camden.

Ruling arrogantly; overbearing. A violent, brutal, domineering old reprobate. Blackw. Mag.

y a bishop to have the oversight of the churches and preachers in a certain district. -- Ruling elder, a lay presbyter or member of a Presbyterian church session. Schaff.

The title of the ruling Prince of Baroda, in Gujarat, in Bombay, India.

A law or ruling prohibiting proper or free debate, as in closure. [Colloq. or Cant]