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law

law [ law ] (plural laws)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. binding or enforceable rule: a rule of conduct or procedure recognized by a community as binding or enforceable by authority

2. piece of legislation: an act passed by a legislature or similar body

3. legal system: the body or system of rules recognized by a community that are enforceable by established process
You are forbidden by law to enter the premises.

4. control or authority: the control or authority resulting from the observance and enforcement of a community's system of rules
Nobody is above the law.

5. branch of knowledge: the branch of knowledge or study concerned with the rules of a community and their enforcement
went to school to study law

6. area of law: the body of law relating to a particular subject or area

7. social sciences 
Same as  common law


8. lawyers: the legal profession

9. legal action: legal action or proceedings

10. law enforcement agent or agency: a person or organization responsible for enforcing the law, especially the police

11. general rule or principle: a general rule or principle that is thought to be true or held to be binding

12. statement of scientific truth: a statement of a scientific fact or phenomenon that is invariable under given conditions
the laws of physics

13. mathematical principle: a general relationship that is assumed or proved to exist between mathematical expressions

[Pre-12th century. < Old Norse lög "laws" < lag "something set down" < Germanic, "put"]

be a law unto yourself to refuse to obey the rules, conventions, or suggestions made or upheld by others

lay down the law to express an opinion in an overbearing or dogmatic way

take the law into your own hands to try to obtain revenge or justice without involving the police, courts, or usual legal procedures

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