metarule

1 9.8

A rule that controls how other rules are used

noun
/ˈmɛtəˌruːl/

Specialized

: metaregla

Alternatively, a metarule might specify that either parent can grant permission unilaterally. But such a default rule may not exist, perhaps because the parents failed to consider the question or considered such a rule but could not agree on what the appropriate meta-rule should be.

Examples

To ensure clarity in decision making, they created a metarule outlining the conditions under which other rules apply.
In programming, a metarule defines how rules can be applied to enhance code efficiency.
The researchers established a metarule to guide the development of their AI algorithms.

How General

metarule

Specialized

1 9.8

principle

580 3.8

rule

∞ 1.0

particularity

3 7.2

Surface Forms

metarule singular

metarules plural

Morphology

metarule = rule (semi-transparent) = meta + rule

The meaning is readily interpretable as a rule about other rules, but the prefix meta- is somewhat technical and more common in specialized registers.

Etymology

The word metarule joins the parts meta- and rule. Meta- means 'about' or 'beyond', as in metadata, which is data 'about' other data, so a metarule is a rule 'about' other rules and shows how they should be used.