law

Definitions

1. 1noun

   In general, a rule of being or of conduct, established by an authority able to enforce its will; a controlling regulation; the mode or order according to which an agent or a power acts.

2. 2noun

   In morals: The will of God as the rule for the disposition and conduct of all responsible beings toward him and toward each other; a rule of living, conformable to righteousness; the rule of action as obligatory on the conscience or moral nature.

3. 3noun

   The Jewish or Mosaic code, and that part of Scripture where it is written, in distinction from the gospel; hence, also, the Old Testament.

4. 4noun

   An organic rule, as a constitution or charter, establishing and defining the conditions of the existence of a state or other organized community.

5. 5noun

   Any edict, decree, order, ordinance, statute, resolution, judicial, decision, usage, etc., or recognized, and enforced, by the controlling authority.

6. 6noun

   In philosophy and physics: A rule of being, operation, or change, so certain and constant that it is conceived of as imposed by the will of God or by some controlling authority; as, the law of gravitation; the laws of motion; the law heredity; the laws of thought; the laws of cause and effect; law of self-preservation.

7. 7noun

   In matematics: The rule according to which anything, as the change of value of a variable, or the value of the terms of a series, proceeds; mode or order of sequence.

8. 8noun

   In arts, works, games, etc.: The rules of construction, or of procedure, conforming to the conditions of success; a principle, maxim; or usage; as, the laws of poetry, of architecture, of courtesy, or of whist.

9. 9noun

   Collectively, the whole body of rules relating to one subject, or emanating from one source; -- including usually the writings pertaining to them, and judicial proceedings under them; as, divine law; English law; Roman law; the law of real property; insurance law.

10. 10noun

    Legal science; jurisprudence; the principles of equity; applied justice.

11. 11noun

    Trial by the laws of the land; judicial remedy; litigation; as, to go law.

12. 12noun

    An oath, as in the presence of a court.

13. 13transitive verb

    Same as Lawe, v. t.

14. 14interjection

    An exclamation of mild surprise.

15. 15noun

    the learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system

    "he studied law at Yale"

16. 16noun

    a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society

17. 17noun

    a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature

    "the laws of thermodynamics"

18. 18noun

    the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

    Synonyms

    jurisprudence
19. 19noun

    legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity

    "there is a law against kidnapping"

20. 20noun

    the force of policemen and officers

    "the law came looking for him"

    Synonyms

    constabularypolice
21. 21noun

    the collection of rules imposed by authority

    "civilization presupposes respect for the law"

    "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"

    Synonyms

    jurisprudence