law
/lɔ/ noun A2- The body of binding rules and regulations, customs, and standards established in a community by its legislative and judicial authorities. · The courts interpret the law but should not make it.· In theory, entrapment is against the law.
- The body of such rules that pertain to a particular topic. · property law· commercial hunting and fishing law
- Common law, as contrasted with equity.
- A binding regulation or custom established in a community in this way. · There is a law against importing wallabies.· A new law forbids driving on that road.
- Any rule that must or should be obeyed, concerning behaviours and their consequences. (Compare mores.) · "Do unto others as you wish them to do unto you" is a good law to follow.· the law of self-preservation
- A rule or principle regarding the construction of language or art. · the laws of playwriting and poetry
- A statement (in physics, etc) of an (observed, established) order or sequence or relationship of phenomena which is invariable under certain conditions. (Compare theory.) · the laws of thermodynamics· Newton's third law of motion states that to every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.
- A statement (of relation) that is true under specified conditions; a mathematical or logical rule. · Mathematical laws can be proved purely through mathematics, without scientific experimentation.
Plural laws
From the library
“I demand admittance,” said a loud voice outside the room, “in the name of the law!” As no attempt was made to prevent it, the door was opened, and a magistrate, wearing his official scarf, presented himself, followed by four soldiers and a corporal.
As Villefort observes, it is a great act of folly to have left such a man between Corsica, where he was born, and Naples, of which his brother-in-law is king, and face to face with Italy, the sovereignty of which he coveted for his son.”
“Unfortunately, madame,” answered Villefort, “the strong arm of the law is not called upon to interfere until the evil has taken place.”
“Nay, madame, the law is frequently powerless to effect this; all it can do is to avenge the wrong done.”
Other matches
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