ruler

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

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)/
• (UK, goose split) IPA^(key): (measuring device) /ˈɹuː.lə/, [ˈɹʉwlə], (one who rules) /ˈɹuːl.ə/, [ˈɹʊwɫə]

  • audio (UK with goose split)

    (file)

    (device)

  • audio (UK with goose split)

    (file)

    (one who rules)
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɹulɚ/

  • audio (US)

    (file)

• Rhymes: -uːlə(ɹ)

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 (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.

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."

• See Thesaurus:ruler
• (measuring instrument): rule

• See Thesaurus:ruler

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).

• “ruler”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “ruler”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• Category:ruler on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons

• lurer

Borrowed from English ruler, from Middle English reuler.

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

ruler

1. ruler (tool)

Borrowed from English ruler.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɾuleɾ/, [ˈɾu.lɛɾ]
• Hyphenation: ru‧ler

ruler (Baybayin spelling ᜇᜓᜎᜒᜇ᜔)

1. ruler (tool)

   Synonyms: reglador, panlinya

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