laws

laws · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Rules established by authority to regulate behavior in a community or country.

  2. 2.

    The system of rules that a society recognizes as regulating actions.

  3. 3.

    (science) Statements describing consistent relationships in nature.

  4. 4.

    Rules or principles governing a particular activity or field.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    above the law — Not subject to legal restrictions.
  • •
    take the law into one's own hands — Act outside the legal system.

Related words

See also: law, regulations, rules
Synonyms: regulations, rules, statutes

Etymology

Plural of law, from Old English lagu ("something laid down"), from Old Norse lag ("layer, stratum, law"). Related to the verb lay.