First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1law
noun \ˈlȯ\
: the whole system or set of rules made by the government of a town, state, country, etc.
: a particular kind of law
: a rule made by the government of a town, state, country, etc.
Full Definition of LAW
1
a (1) : a binding custom or practice of a community : a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority (2) : the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules (3) : common law b (1) : the control brought about by the existence or enforcement of such law (2) : the action of laws considered as a means of redressing wrongs; also : litigation (3) : the agency of or an agent of established law c : a rule or order that it is advisable or obligatory to observe d : something compatible with or enforceable by established law e : control, authority
2
a often capitalized : the revelation of the will of God set forth in the Old Testament b capitalized : the first part of the Jewish scriptures : pentateuch, torah — see bible table
3
: a rule of construction or procedure <the laws of poetry>
4
: the whole body of laws relating to one subject
5
6
a : a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions b : a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions
— at law
: under or within the provisions of the law <enforceable at law>
See law defined for English-language learners
See law defined for kids
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Origin of LAW
Middle English, from Old English lagu, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse lǫg law; akin to Old English licgan to lie — more at lie
Synonym Discussion of LAW
law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure. law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority <obey the law>. rule applies to more restricted or specific situations <the rules of the game>. regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system <regulations affecting nuclear power plants>. precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching <the precepts of effective writing>. statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body <a statute requiring the use of seat belts>. ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality <a city ordinance>. canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide <the canons of good taste>.
synonyms see in addition hypothesis
Other Legal Terms
2law
verb
Definition of LAW
intransitive verb
: litigate
transitive verb
chiefly dialect : to sue or prosecute at law
First Known Use of LAW
circa 1550
Other Legal Terms
Law
biographical name \ˈlȯ\
Definition of LAW
(Andrew) Bon*ar \ˈbä-nər\ 1858–1923 British (Canad.-born) statesman
Law
biographical name
Definition of LAW
Edward 1750–1818 1st Baron El*len*bor*ough \ˈe-lən-ˌbər-ə, -ˌbə-rə, -brə\ Eng. jurist
Law
biographical name
Definition of LAW
John 1671–1729 Scot. financier & speculator
Law
biographical name
Definition of LAW
William 1686–1761 Eng. writer
LAW Defined for Kids
law
noun \ˈlȯ\
Definition of LAW for Kids
1
: a rule of conduct or action that a nation or a group of people agrees to follow
2
: a whole collection of established rules <the law of the land>
3
: a rule or principle that always works the same way under the same conditions <the law of gravity>
4
: a bill passed by a legislature
5
: 2police 1
6
: the profession of a lawyer
Medical Dictionary
law
noun \ˈlȯ\
Medical Definition of LAW
: a statement of order or relation holding for certain phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions
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