n. hypen is changed from WN: adjust hier. a formal rule describing how a situation must be handled; -- used as a direction to administrators from superiors. Syn. --guidelines. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
n. hypen is changed from WN: adjust hier. a rule or set of rules giving guidance on how to behave in a situation. a situation to which the guidelines are considered applicable is described as "falling within the guidelines" Syn. --guideline, guidepost, rule of thumb. [ WordNet 1.5 ]