subrule

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noun

A narrow rule which defines the specific meaning of a broader rule

OriginEnglish rule ← Latin sub- →
UncommonScrabble 9
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Meanings

nounsubrule (plural subrules)

plural subrules

  1. A narrow rule which defines the specific meaning of a broader rule

    This led to a set of rules (play cannot begin before crossing East Blithedale Avenue), then subrules ("crossing" means reaching the always arguable halfway point of the avenue) […

    2009 January 8, Michelle Slatalla, “Two Can Play That Game”, in New York Times

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
subregulation

Origin

  1. Latinsub
  2. Latinsub-
  3. Englishsub-
  4. Englishrule
  5. Englishsubrule

From sub- + rule.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

subrule. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subrule

MLA

“subrule.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subrule. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “subrule,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/subrule.

Source: subrule on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.