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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
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Reule, Rewell, n.¹ Also: reul(l, rewl(l)(e; reugle; rewil(l)(e, reuill, -yl(l, -yle, rewyle; ruel; rwill; riule; rule, rwle, roule, rowll; rull(e, ruell; rowell, -ill; (rewlie). [ME and e.m.E. riwle (Ancr. R.), ruiele (1340), rewle (Wyclif), reul (Cursor M.), rewel, rule (Piers Plowman), rule (1422), OF riule, reugle (both 12th c. in Larousse), L. rēgula straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern. See also Regull n. and Reow.]The form reugle occurs only in Hay.

I. 1. A principle or maxim governing individual conduct; a set of such principles, collectively; a way or pattern of living based on, or deducible from, (of) such a maxim or set of maxims or prescription.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 615.
& [the] reule of Cristine fay He tacht hyme wele but delay c1420 Wynt. iv 1949.
The reule off resowne, nevyrtheles, Sall thé noucht lede in that straytnes 1456 Hay I 291/24.
Sen lawis ar bot reuglis of vertues, maid for the gouernaunce of the brukle mankynde Ib. II 21/34.
Thus suld the warld be governyt be commoun reugle of governaunce a1500 Bernardus 23.
Ȝit rewle of lyffe [L. viuendi regula] is nocht to leff behynde c1475 Wall. viii 482.
Sic rewill he led off worthi chewalry a1538 Abell 46a.
It is ane rwill of law [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet I 126/4.
Our Saluiour … quhois doingis till ws suld be a reull of leuing 1593 St. A. Kirk S. 765.
Aganis the rewell of cherite 1596 Dalr. I 221/24.
[St. Benedict] tuik til him certane marrowes quhome he brocht to the rycht rule of lyfe Ib. II 153/15.
[He] inioynet him selfe sik a rule of continencie, that in al pleisures a verie Tantalus(2) c1460 Thewis Wysmen 201.
Wysmen kepis reull in thar lufinge a1500 Bk. Chess 841.
A knycht quhen he of new is maid New lyf new rewll ressoun wald he had 1513 Doug. ix Prol. marg. (Ruddim.).
Vertue … has euer this rewill with hyr: Do as thou wald be done to 1551 Hamilton Cat. 6.
The rewil that S. Paule gevis to the Romanis … that na man seik mair than it behoiffis him to seik 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 12.
I will observe … the … contentis of the New and Auld Testament as the onelie rewle to atteyne to salvatioun, to avance the glore of Gode 1670 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 426.
[That] our aftercomers … to have a speciall care of this book, and to own it as ther rull to walk by

b. Applied to a person: An exemplar (of a particular virtue). a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 614.
Sancte Johnne the scole of uertuise wes … & reule of rychtwisnes a1550 Lang Rosair 290.
Haill, … the reull of prudence

c. Also, as a nickname. But perh. connected, in either instance, with one, or more of the other senses below. 1662 Crim. Trials III 606.
Her niknam is ‘Bessie Rule’ … The nam of the fyft sprit is ‘Robert the Rule’

2. A code or set of regulations prescribing the way of life to be followed by a. A pupil, student, b. Members of a religious order.a. 1456 Hay II 77/16.
I have undertane to mak a litil reugle callit cannonet, that is to say a lytill buke, the quhilk [etc.]b. a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 212.
Thai … abstinence oysyt mare Thane in rewile thaim gyfine ware a1500 Bk. Chess 1999.
He … Become a monk … And kepit thair reull 1533 Boece 462.
Religios men of the reule of Sanct Benedic a1538 Abell 83a.
Keip the stait of religion at we haif tane ws to quhat rewll at euir it be for to that rewll and statutis man we answer Ib. 113a.
This ȝere I professit the reull of Sanct Aug. in Inchaufra c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 59. Winȝet I 110/21.
In all thare rewlis, thay [sc. nuns] will nocht find, Quha suld beir vp thair taillis behind

b. In an extended sense. 14.. Acts I 380/2.
All … that … contrariis the reull of Cristin law or condampnis the statutis of haly kirk 1551 Hamilton Cat. 28.
Quhy say ye that the law is a rewil gevin for the gud giding of our lyif? 1560 Bk. Disc. 228.
The reule of Christ 1562-3 Winȝet I 49/13.
To reiose and glorifie my God according to St. Petiris reull a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 33/55.
Chryst, send to ws ane rewle to keip for ay

3. A principle governing practice or procedure; a custom; a generally accepted practice. c1420 Wynt. v 5510.
The rewle off Pask … That befor thai had in were, … he thare-off made knawlage clere 1456 Hay I 285/22.
Ane othir reugle and doctryne apon the governaunce of clos bataill Ib. 286/18.
The ferde doctrine, teching, and reugle of bataill in barrieris is [etc.] Id. ?1438 Alex. (S.T.S.) 1242.
[They] ordand wache and warde … Efter thair reulis 1474 Reg. Cupar A. I 194.
Tha sal haue fredom … quhar tha are assignyt, tha kepand the reuyl as our tenandis of Coupir-grange dois 1514 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 146.
The reull to be had in the commoun mylnis … that in tyme of scant watter ilk nychtbour thairof sall haue facultie … to grynd four laid of quheit 1560 Bk. Disc. 195.
We can nott prescryve … certane reull how that ye sall distribute the ministeris and lerned men 1562-3 Winȝet II 69/23.
Afoir thai begin to falsifie the reulis of the anciant fayth 1572 Sat. P. xxxiv 60.
In Scotland had not bene sic tuill, Gif this had bene the common reull c1590 Fowler II 24/33.
The reul approuit amongs thame, that na faith sould be kepit vnto thame quhome thai esteme as heretiques

4. A regulation, freq. one made by or for a corporate body to govern its procedures; a law.The second quot. from Acts II may properly belong to 6 below.(1) 1456 Hay I 68/35.
Bot sik reulis of ordynaunce of jugis was nocht in thai tymes ordanyt be the commoun consent tobe maid 1473–4 Edinb. B. Rec. I 27.
Ane deacoun … for conserveing of the said craft in all guid rewllis and ordinances as effeiris thairto 1474 Ib. 31.
Certane statutis and reullis maid … for the honour and worschip of Sanct Jhone in augmentatioun of devyne seruice 1530 Ib. II 23.
The quhilkis reulis preuilegis and statutis aboue wryttin we pray your lordschippis till grant till ws vndir your commoun seill of cause 1554 Holyrood Chart. 291.
Certane masters of the samyn crauft … hes … ordanit certane gude statuts articulis and reulis to be observit and kepit 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 566.
That he … reid to his brethir now present … the rewles in the said fundatioun 1600 Glasgow Wrights 41.
Ane seuerall lettir of dekinheid contenand thair statutis and rewlis to thame selfis onlie 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI 338.
To … prescryve reullis and ordinanceis anent the keiping of the foull personis fra the clene 1631 Justiciary Cases I 160.
Quhatsumeuir was done for the government of that cuntrie quhair the law was maid that can nocht be ane reule to this kingdome(b) 1456 Hay II 9/28.
The reuglis … belangand the said ordre [sc. of knighthood](c) 1478 Acts II 118/2.
It nedis scharp reuyllis tharuppon be counsale … quhill the realme may be stuffit of bulȝeone Ib.
His hienes … sall than … with the avis of the lordis of his consale mak a sett and reuyle of his moneye baith gold & siluir of the wecht & finance that it sall hald 1673 Edinb. B. Rec. X 144.
That the forsaid rewells and orders be lykwayes observed in the fleshe mercats [etc.](d) 1661 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 156.
They always observing the same rules as to … factorage as beforsaid(e) 1662 Conv. Burghs III 559.
To be ane rull and ground of electioune of … office beareris(f) 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 202.
That this present act shall be ane rowell as to the lyke building … in all tyme comeing(g) 1677 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 4 Feb.
Quhilk they declair to continew as ane constant riule in tyme cumming(2) a1538 Abell 83a.
I man keip the bundis of it eftir the tenour of my writ for it is ane rewll of law

b. A regulation governing the procedure of a court of law. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 99b.
Many profitable principals, and rewles of the lawes of this realme, worthie to be remembred 1610 Laing MSS I 114.
Injunctiones and rewles … appointit be … bishopes … for the … procuratour fiscallis [etc.] a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 20.
Such ruels, statuts, and ordinances, as they should think expedient to be obserued in the maner and order of procese

5. A principle prescribed as effective or necessary in the pursuit of an art or science; a formulation of an observed operation for use in future investigation.Also out of reul, not conforming to such principles.(1) 1490 Irland Mir. I 85/15.
The reulis and licht of naturale ressoune the haly scripture behufit to teich and schaw ws a1500 Bk. Chess 9.
Be the ald rewlis of astronomy 1531 Vaus in Innes Sketches 272 n.
That rewlis of oratre ar changeable c1550-c1580 Art of Music 21b.
The first rewill is that na noit ma alter … befoir ane noit les nor the self 1562-3 Winȝet II 58/21.
Thair is na dout bot this is the lauchful and rycht reul of incres a1568 Bann. MS 213a/15.
Vse thé to rewlis that may thé weill suffis 1558-66 Knox I 175.
Qwyetnes, after the reuillis of phisick, … was requisite for my lord 1573 Cath. Tr. 14/19.
Schir Johne Knox hes nocht weill considderit the rewlis of dialectik 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 70 heading.
The revlis and cavtelis to be observit and eschewit in Scottis poesie(2) 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 71/32.
Tak heid that the nomber of ȝour fete in euery lyne be euin and nocht odde … except it be in broken verse quhilkis are out of reul and daylie inuentit be dyuers poetis

b. A rule in grammar. c1505-8 Donatus 1b.
Amang my iii reulis of coniunctione 1531 Vaus (1531) 3.
Bot this rewl is nocht vniuersale 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 9.
Thys classe sal reid … the reulis of grammar assignat to thayme without commentair, bot only the expresse wordis and sentence of the reul

c. (The statement of) a fact which generally holds good. 1588 King Cat. 65b.
S. Augustin præscryuis to vs ane reull, saying. The sacraments ar nocht thairfor aither the mair trew or the mair haly, be reason thay ar ministrat be the better man

d. A method of working out or determining, by proportion, an amount or number due. 1645 Acts VI i 351/2.
That everie shire and burghe shall interteene … a proportione of [forces] horse and foot … according to the reule of loan and taxt 1690 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II 354.
[Which list will be his] rwle of compting [with his partners for his intromissions]

6. A criterion or canon; a general rule; a standard of judgment or estimation. 1456 Hay I 120/10.
The vertues cardinalis … ar … ledaris and governouris, and reule of all vertues and gude thewis Ib. 248/9.
A reugle generale is that quha brekis faith, faith suld nocht be kepit to thame Ib. II 77/21.
The quhilk [book] salbe a reugle certayne … of all thy dedis Ib. 155/8. a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 116/19.
Quhilk is … ane rewil til onderstand quhensumeuer ane thyng is spokin be ane … similitude 1562-3 Winȝet II 7/1.
This is … a general reul to al richt, an ewin lyne of lawtay, a tweche stane of the treuth a1568 Bann. MS 44b/82.
It is a rewll of grit wysnes a1599 Rollock Wks. I 294.
His forme of teiching … may serve as a reull and exemplar to uthers that sall cum efter 1682 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 192.
The new pyle of weights sent hither by his majestie for the commone rule of weight

b. A definitive statement. 1668 Rothesay B. Rec. 162.
And that the same with the old rentall may be comparit befoir the counsell to be ane reull to tak up the common maills

II. 7. Gude reule, a state of society, etc. where order and the maintenance of law prevails, chiefly seen as kept in place by an effective authority. Also personified.To kepe gude reull, to maintain law and order in a community.Cf. 8 below.(1) 1456 Hay I 112/12.
The secund nedefull thing [in battle] is good reugle, and gude ordynaunce c1515 Asl. MS I 228/22.
He fand the place all out of gud rewle 1501 Acta Conc. III 102.
Til haf brocht … his legis til gud rewill quiet peace and rest 1515 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 158.
In breking of your statvtes and guid reull of our toun and commoun weill thairof 1549 Lamb Resonyng 47/20.
Commissionaris of baith the realmes did proclame that guid ordour suld be keipit and obseruit as wes accustummat for guid reule on the bordouris Ib. 49/15.
The Lord Maxwell did proclame guid reule 1555 Fam. Rose 219.
We being of gude mynd to haif gude reule in all the partis of this realme(b) 1529 Hawick Ann. 19.
Ruell(c) 1534 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 115.
It is statut … for the gud rowll of the burght of Dunfermlyng … that [etc.](d) 1600 Glasgow Wrights 42.
Statutes and rewlis … quhairthrow gude rewlie and gyding may be amang ws and oure successores(2) 1503 Acts II 241/2.
Als lang as the said lord kepis gude reule & dois justice a1508 Want of Wyse Men 47 (B).
Our gouernance nocht keipis gud rewll 1524 Reg. Privy S. I 495/2.
For the gud rewle and ordour to be kepit … amang the cumpanȝonis of the said cumpany 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 57.
For keping of gud rewle and ministratioun of justice to the inhabitants thairof 1542 Carnwath Baron Ct. (S.H.S.) 211.
All … actis [pr. acis] maid of beffor … for gud rowll & neborhed to be keipit 1603 Melrose P. 3. c1610 Melville Mem. 374.
He had greter fascherie to kepe gud reull and ordour(3) personified c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 119/29.
Gud rewle is banist our the Bordour 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 151.
Oppressioun cleikit Gude Reule be the hair

b. With omission of gude. Also proverb. and personified.(1) 1484 in Exch. R. IX 605.
Actis and statutis of our said forest maid … for the reuyle of the samyn to mak be kepit a1500 K. Hart 324.
Both rewle and als vnrest 1540 Acts II 370/2.
That thai caus in euery kirk within thair diocy … cure, reule, reparatioun and reparaling to be … maid and done 1547–8 Ayr B. Acc. 102.
[Spent on getting the commission] to justefy thame that brak rewll in the tyme of the pest, £12 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9597.
And thairefter to put reule in my landis 1606 Southesk MSS 722/2.
By establischeing of goode ordour and rewll thairintill(2) 15.. Clar. iii 315.
Foure louetennents … gart he make, To put his folkis in rewle and governance(3) a1568 Scott v 21.
Abbotis by [= without, against] rewll and lordis but ressone 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 112.
Gif thou find thine affection to be exorbitant and out of rule, … resist it(4) proverb. 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 2063.
Ane realm but reull may nocht stand 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I 82.
It is saide … that multitude but reull maks confusion(5) personified a1508 Want of Wyse Men 14 (A).
Than regnyt reule & resone held his rynkis

c. Warst rewll, a state of disorder or lawlessness. 1607 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 96.
The countrie of Atholl, throw the imbecillitie and weaknes of this earle … is now in warst rewll

8. Conduct, (good) behaviour (of a person or group of persons) seen as deriving from the acquiescence or will of the individual; way of living.To kepe gude reule, to behave in a proper or law-abiding manner. Cf. 7 above.(1) a1500 Henr. Orph. 11.
A gentill man …, Noucht folowing of his progenitoure The worthy reule and the lordly estate 1502 Perth Guildry MS p. 151 (26 July).
Ay and quhill he be … knawin … of gud rewll and conditioun 1504 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 101.
That all nychtbouris … consider the vse and the rewle of thair seruands in all maner of gyding, playing [etc.] a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 381.
Sik reule gerris thé be servit wyth cald rost 1528 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 275.
[He was] misgydit and of evill reule c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4743.
Quhat rewll keip thay, in Rome, Quhilk hes the spirituall dominatioun 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3546.
Thow will not keip gude reull nor rod(2) 1573 Hist. Clan Gregor I 169.
To chairge thayme … to be of rewl in all tymes cumin as … ciwil subdittis of … the kingis maiestie

b. specif. The good or law-abiding behaviour guaranteed by a surety of some sort.For further instances, see Pleg(e n. 2 (2). 1551 Digest Justiciary Proc. B 59.
The laird of Balclewche wes bund for the ordour and rewle of the inhabitantis 1554 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 342b (15 Oct.).
Caucioun … that gud rewille salbe kepit for the said Jhone Gardinnis part 1557 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 692/1.
We vnderstanding that it is within the power of Alexander Menȝes … to ansuer for the gud reule of the Clangregour inhabitantis of the Rannoch and that … the erle of Ergyle and Coline Campbell … hes the seruice of that clann and that thai will do thare deligens to caus gud reule [be] keipit be the said clann a1578 Pitsc. I 352/8.
Sum of thame he pat in waird … and sum he tuik pledgis for goode rulle in tymes cumming 1607 Inverness Rec. II 52.
And Alexander Cuthbert is becum actit cautioner for his guid reul

9. Control; authority; government; dominion.Rarely with article; also (once) pl. ? in the same sense.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 968 (A).
Fra rule, ressoun and richt redles I ran a1500 Henr. Fab. 2606.
Bot ȝit nane wait how lang that reull will ring c1475 Wall. viii 472.
Nayme off rewill on him he wald tak nayne Ib. vii 134.
Rewlle 1539 Reg. Privy S. II 457/2.
Committand to the said Robert … the cuyre, rewle and administratioun in spiritualiteis and temporaliteis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4750.
And gif thay want gude counsall lang With reule thay sall not ring(2) 1483 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. II 103.
Deacons and maisteris of craftis appoyntit, quha beiris reull over the multitude … within this burgh 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 538.
During the said Erle Boithuillis bearing of rule 1576 Orkney Oppress. 85.
All sic officiars beirand rule above thame 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. (ed.) 17.
Bailleis to governe and beir rewll within the said toun(3) 1490 Irland Mir. II 29/10.
The Romans … had reule and dominacioun in that land 1562 Reg. Privy C. I 219.
That … gentilmen of the cuntre have roule or steir thairin be send for 1567 G. Ball. 232.
Princes … That suld haue all rewle and steir, Do justice equall a1578 Pitsc. I 26/7.
It is supponit he thocht seing the cuntrie swa dewydit … to haue had sum reull in the realme als weill as ony vtheris 1610 Breadalbane Lett. 16 April.
It is concludit the bischopis sall haue reull and preheminence our the ministeris in all thair proceidingis(4) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 233.
All fleschelie paramour Quhilk Venus hes in reull and gouernance 1512 Treas. Acc. IV 293.
To the marinaris quhilkis James Makesone hes in reule(5) c1515 Asl. MS II 132/174.
Thus was he cheif cok … And baire the rewle threttene ȝeris space 1535 Stewart 59397.
The duke of Clarence, … In France he left to haif the rewll and steir 1622-6 Bisset II 199/5.
Strabo writtis that Ninus king of Crete had the first reule on the sea(6) 1456 Hay II 11/17.
To ger the reugle of gude governaunce cum agayn 1490 Irland Mir. MS fol. 281b.
Thi saule … thou puttis in the reule, hand and gouernaunce of the … innemy of Hell a1500 K. Hart 736.
Richt sall nocht rest me alway with his rewle 1501–2 Acta Conc. III 175.
[Charged to bring in] Angus of the Ylis bastard son, now being at his rewill and governance 1611-57 Mure Psalmes cxxxvi 9.
The moone and stars which stray Night's reull to beare(7) 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 57.
Quha thameselfis practisit to set up ane tyrannous reule in Francepl. c1475 Wall. vi 797.
That captayne hard the reullis off Wallace

b. Const. of the thing or person controlled.(1) 1466 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V ii p. 836 (10 Oct.).
All actis … belangande the profyte of merchandis and rewyle of the gilde for this ȝer a1500 Lanc. 1611.
Rewll a1500 Bk. Chess 2105.
Off archerye the rewll allhaile thai beire 1508–9 Reg. Privy S. I 280/1.
Chargeit thareto be us, oure thesaurar, or maiester of our money, havand rewll tharof for the tyme 1513–14 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 7.
Thir ar the heidis men that sall tak the reule of the northland apoun thame 1529 Aberd. B. Rec. I 122.
To gif Maister Johne Bissat … tene lib. Scottis … for the rewill and gydin of thair skuill 1533 Boece 36.
How Iber returnit to Spanȝe and eftir deceis of his fader tuke reule of the cuntre 1533 Gau 22/25.
Thow sal honour … al thayme quhilk hes power and rewl of thé onder God 1539 Reg. Privy S. II 457/2.
[The] rewle and administratioun of the said abbay(2) 1525 St. P. Henry VIII IV 314.
Tuiching the rewle of his persoun, and the commoun weill of his realme 1540 Lynd. Sat. 87.
Sen thow hes giuin mee dominatioun And rewll of pepill subiect to my cure 1556 Lauder Off. Kings 94.
The kyng had in his handis The rewle of … thousandis 1568 Haddington Corr. 271.
Miscontent that ony sould haif reull of ws and our court by him 1570 Leslie 18.
This Erle of Douglas had the haill reul of the king

c. Of fastenings, etc.: To hald (a door) in his rycht reule, to restrict it to its proper limits in movement. 1456 Hay I 119/15.
As the dure turnis about apon the herre, and is sustenyt be the crukis, and vyris and revyris, and haldis it nevertheles in his rycht reule, that is, pas nocht his mesure

III. 10. a. A graduated measuring rod. b. Squair or reule, squair reul, a carpenter's square.a. 1513 Doug. vi xv 9.
Sum bene mar crafty … With rewlis and with mesouris … For til exers the art of geometry 1538 Edinb. Guild Ct. 10 July.
Ane drawin scor maid with plomb & reul 1551 Hamilton Cat. 28.
A mason can nocht hew ane evin aislair staine without directioun of his rewill 1563 Davidson Answer 196.
As ane evin reule … is a witnes to the thing that is cruikit that it is cruikit 1584 Whitelaw Sc. Arms Makers 299.
Ane reull of irne with ane uther of trie 1630 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III 463.
Ane cruell straike with ane great rewle of three quarter long upon the head 1639 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 405.
For lynes to the maissounes and takittis to mend ther rowillis a1700 Smith Old Lodge Dumfries 100.
[A mason or fellow] shall not make any mould, square or rule for any who is but a lewisb. 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Norma, a squair or reule 1587 Carmichael Etym. 6.
Gnomon, a squair reul

c. Of (the), also in, rewll, in accordance with the standard measurement. 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 216.
For everie inglis squair fute of reull [of timber] 1660 Rothesay B. Rec. 48.
A commoun pase … seaven foot of the reull in bredthe 1680 Kingarth Par. Rec. 124. —
Six foot and an half of the rule 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 20 April.
Johne must have twa futt in rule of frie entrie in to his owine yeard

d. fig. In senses a–c above. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 536.
For in sic luif is nother reull nor squair Bot blindid lufe 1562-3 Winȝet II 8/4.
For wald ony of thame al lay to this lyne and square reul and preue thair doctrine … vniuersalie 1651 Dickson Matthew 3.
The mason-like looks of his conscience, levelling its eye to each action to see if it be conform to the rule c1680 Mackenzie Affairs 104.
The only rule and square of their proceedings was your majesty's limitations

11. A line ruled on paper. b. specif. The straightness (of lines of writing on a page). c1550-c1580 Art of Music 25.
With figuris and sypheris in void spacis within rewlis or lynis sittuat 1581–2 Misc. Stair Soc. I 115.
It apperis that the new instrument is nocht writtin be the same hand for giff he nedit reulis quhen he was young mekill mair nedit he quhen he was twentie nyne yeir elderb. 1581–2 Misc. Stair Soc. I 115.
The … new instrument is nocht reulit and … the lynis … kepis nocht reull as the lynis of the auld instrument Ib. 120.
The nocht rewling of the last instrument makis the lynis to be sumquhat out of rewl and ordour

c. ? A dividing line, a boundary. 1467 Reg. Dunferm. 358.
This inquisicon … langand the merchis dyvisis and richtis betwix the fischingis of the auld stell … and the fisching of the Calate … ay quhill the kingis water balȝe mak revlis in the watir

12. Array, order; line. 1503–4 Treas. Acc. II 420.
To ane man that lukit the pailȝonis and dryit thaim and laid them in reul 1513 Doug. iii vi 176.
Tha leiffis remanys onsterit of thar place Ne partis not furth of rewle Ib. 185.
Nevir eftyr denȝeing hir … forto put thame into rewle agane

13. Rendering (Vulgate) regula in Joshua vii 21 (Wyclif a goldun rewle): An ingot, or bar, of gold. c1420 Wynt. ii 1086.
Thare Achor als the mantyll stall The sylver and the rewell wyth alle