Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RULE, v.t.

1. To govern; to control the will and actions of others, either by arbitrary power and authority, or by established laws. The emperors of the East rule their subjects without the restraints of a constitution. In limited governments, men are ruled by known laws. If a man know not how to rule his own house, now shall he take care of the church of God? 1 Tim. iii.
2. To govern the movements of things; to conduct; to manage; to control. That God rules the world he has created, is a fundamental article of belief.
3. To manage; to conduct, in almost any manner.
4. To settle as by a rule. That's a ruled case with the schoolmen. Atterbury.
5. To mark with lines by a ruler; as, to rule a blank book.
6. To establish by decree or decision; to determine; as a court.