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ruler

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
A ruler (measuring device).

Etymology

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From Middle English reuler; equivalent to rule +‎ -er.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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ruler (plural rulers)

  1. A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
  2. A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.
    • 1983, Richard Ellis, The Book of Sharks, Knopf, →ISBN, page 122:
      The carcharhinids are unquestionably the rulers of the seas, because of their abundance, their strength and speed, and their unchallenged position as the number one predators in the marine ecosystem.
    • 1991, Chris Mullin, The Year of the Fire Monkey[1] (Fiction), London: Chatto & Windus, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 252:
      LIKE THE MANDARINS of old, the rulers of China live behind high walls. When they emerge, which they rarely do, they travel in cars with rear windows curtained like sedan chairs.
      They live in the Chung Nan Hai, a walled park adjacent to the Forbidden City from where ancient dynasties ruled the Celestial Empire.

Usage notes

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In American English, the word "ruler" is often used specifically to refer to such a measuring device that is one foot (12 inches) long. Used in contrast with "yardstick" and "meter stick."

Synonyms

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Hyponyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Verb

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ruler (third-person singular simple present rulers, present participle rulering, simple past and past participle rulered)

  1. (transitive) To beat with a ruler (as a traditional school punishment).

Further reading

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Anagrams

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Cebuano

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Etymology

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Borrowed from English ruler, from Middle English reuler.

Pronunciation

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  • Hyphenation: ru‧ler
  • IPA(key): /ˈɾuleɾ/ [ˈɾ̪u.l̪eɾ̪]

Noun

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ruler

  1. ruler (tool)

Tagalog

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Etymology

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Borrowed from English ruler.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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ruler (Baybayin spelling ᜇᜓᜎᜒᜇ᜔)

  1. ruler (tool)
    Synonyms: reglador, panlinya

Further reading

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  • ruler”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018