Law

1. (noun) The body of binding rules and regulations, customs and standards established in a community by its legislative and judicial authorities. 2. (noun) A binding regulation or custom established in a community in this way. 3. (noun) (more generally) A rule, such as: 4. (noun) The control and order brought about by the observance of such rules. 5. (noun) A person or group that act(s) with authority to uphold such rules and order (for example, one or more police officers). 6. (noun) The profession that deals with such rules (as lawyers, judges, police officers, etc). 7. (noun) Jurisprudence, the field of knowledge which encompasses these rules. 8. (noun) Litigation, legal action (as a means of maintaining or restoring order, redressing wrongs, etc). 9. (noun) An allowance of distance or time (a head start) given to a weaker (human or animal) competitor in a race, to make the race more fair. 10. (noun) One of two metaphysical forces ruling the world in some fantasy settings, also called order, and opposed to chaos. 11. (noun) An oath sworn before a court, especially disclaiming a debt. (Chiefly in the phrases "wager of law", "wage one's law", "perform one's law", "lose one's law".) 12. (verb) To work as a lawyer; to practice law. 13. (verb) To prosecute or sue (someone), to litigate. 14. (verb) To rule over (with a certain effect) by law; govern. 15. (verb) To enforce the law. 16. (verb) To subject to legal restrictions.