RUFF

The name of the male of the Machetes pugnax, which is distinguished at the breeding season by a ruff or tuft of wide-spreading feathers, projecting behind the eyes and from the upper p.art of the neck. The female is called the reeve. See Machetes and Tringa. RULE, in Arithmetic, denotes a certain prescribed series of numerical operations, adapted to discover from the given conditions to which an unknown number is subjected what that number is. They are generally distinguished by particular names, according to the purposes for which they are given, or the particular nature of the busine for which they are required; as the rules of interest, the rules of fellowship, . RuLB. In a monastic sense, a system of laws or regulations by which monasteries and other religious houses are governed, and which the monks, nuns, and novices vow at their entrance to observe. See Orders, Monastic. Rule. In Law, an order of one of the three superior courts of common law. Rules are either general or particular; the former being such orders relating to matters of practice as are laid down and promulgated by the court for the general guidance of the suitors: the latter are such orders as are confined to the particular case in reference to which they have been granted. See Courts or Law, and Pleading. RULE OF TIIKEE, in Arithmetic, is the rule by which when three numbers are given a fourth is to be found, so that the four shall be in direct or inverse proportion, as the case may require. [s. 1083]