a. 1. Predominant; chief; reigning; controlling; as, a ruling passion; a ruling sovereign. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Used in marking or engraving lines; as, a ruling machine or pen. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Predominant; chief; controlling; directing; guiding; governing; prevailing; prevalent. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. 1. The act of one who rules; ruled lines. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Law) A decision or rule of a judge or a court, especially an oral decision, as in excluding evidence. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a ruling manner; so as to rule. [ 1913 Webster ]