law /'lȯ/ n [Old English lagu, of Scandinavian origin]
1: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority: as
a: a command or provision enacted by a legislature see also statute 1
b: something (as a judicial decision) authoritatively accorded binding or controlling effect in the administration of justice
that case is no longer the law of this circuit
2 a: a body of laws
the law of a state; broadly: laws and justice considered as a general and established entity
the law looks with disfavor on restraints on alienation
3 a: the control or authority of the law
maintain law and order
b: one or more agents or agencies involved in enforcing laws
c: the application of a law or laws as distinct from considerations of fact
an error of law see also issue of law at issue; matter of law at matter; question of law at question 2
4: the whole body of laws and doctrines relating to one subject
contract law
the law of attractive nuisance
5 a: the legal profession
practice law
b: the nature, use, and effects of laws and legal systems as an area of knowledge or society
the politics of law compare jurisprudence
at law: under or within the provisions of the law esp. as opposed to equity
a remedy at law
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.