Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RULE, v., n. Also ne.Sc. forms roule (Abd. 1923 J. Imray Village Roupie 22), rowl(e) (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xv.; Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 18, ne.Sc. 1968), rowel (Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. ix.). Pa.t. rult (Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 13); rowl't (Abd. 1906 Banffshire Jnl. (24 July) 2). Sc. usages. [rul; ‡ne.Sc. rʌul]

I. n. In phrs. and combs.: 1. rule-o'er-thoum, (in a) rough and ready, slap-dash (manner), not concerned with precision or accuracy, = Eng. rule of thumb. Explained in 1850 quot. as a method of measuring cloth by putting the thumb just short of the place where the measuring stick ends and then moving the stick forward so as to begin at the nearer side of the thumb with the next yard, etc., so that a thumb's breadth is deducted with each length of the stick and the result is short measure; 2. rules o' contrary, a ring-game played by school girls (see Allicom-greenzie). Also in Eng. dial.; 3. to keep rule, to control (one's movements), to walk steadily and straight; 4. to take rule o', to assume control over, to take authoritative steps in regard to. Cf. Order, 1.1. Fif. c.1850 R. Peattie MS.:
Rule-o'er-thoum. Refers to a method of measuring cloth which appears to be accurate but is not, and is used to cheat.Sc. 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 16:
For Willie, ance he staps his crappie, Is rule-o'er-thoum and sosh and sappy.2. Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 415:
Rules o' Contrary — A female school game, much like Allicomgreenzie.3. Per. 1816 T. Duff Poems 1:
Wi' my zigs and my zags, I cou'd hardly keep rule, But by fortune the town was asleep.4. Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce I. xi.:
It becomes me, Francie Frisel, as your master to take rule o' you.

II. v. As in Eng. Comb. ruling elder, in the Presbyterian Churches: one who has been ordained to the eldership (see quots. and Elder). Gen.Sc.Sc. 1700 Acts Gen. Assembly 17:
The General Assembly Appoints, That all Ministers and Ruleing Elders, belonging to this National Church, subscribe the Confession of Faith.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings ii. i. s.l:
The Necessity and Usefulness of that Officer of Christ's Institution in the Christian Church, the Ruling Elder.Sc. 1842 J. G. Lorimer Eldership Church Scot. 28:
It is the Ruling Elder whom we have now to do with; who is so called not because the power of ruling and governing the church belongs to him alone, for it also belongs to the preaching and teaching Elders, or to the Ministers and Doctors. But because to rule and govern is the principal and chief part of his charge and employment, it is the highest act of his office. . . . The second mistake is of those who do call these only ruling Elders who sit in Presbyteries, Synods and General Assemblies, allowing to others the name of Elders, but not of ruling Elders. But every Elder in the Lord's house is a ruling Elder, because the power and exercise of rule and government belongs to every Elder, though some of them upon especial occasions be called to a more eminent exercise of it than others.Sc. 1945 J. T. Cox Practice Ch. Scot. 104:
All are elders — ministers being teaching or preaching as well as ruling elders, and the others “ruling elders” only. In practice the terms “elder” and “ruling elder” are restricted to such as are members of a Kirk Session, exclusive of the minister or ministers of the charge.