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(2) : the whole body of such customs, practices, or rules
The courts exist to uphold, interpret, and apply the law.
b(1) : the control brought about by the existence or enforcement of such law
preserved law and order in the town
(3) : the agency of or an agent of established law
When he saw that the fighting was escalating, he called in the law.
c : a rule or order that it is advisable or obligatory to observe
a law of self-preservation
d : something compatible with or enforceable by established law
The decrees were judged not to be law and were therefore rescinded.
2a often capitalized : the revelation of the will of God set forth in the Old Testament
3 : a rule of construction or procedure
the laws of poetry
4 : the whole body of laws relating to one subject
criminal law probate law
5a : the legal profession
studied for a career in law
c : legal knowledge
a man with much history but little law
6a : a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariable under the given conditions
a law of thermodynamics Boyle’s law
b : a general relation proved or assumed to hold between mathematical or logical expressions
: under or within the provisions of the law
enforceable at law
1858–1923 British (Canadian-born) statesman
, -ˌbə-rə , -brəEnglish jurist
John 1671–1729 Scottish financier and speculator
William 1686–1761 English writer