[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/law/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [L](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/l/) / law # law noun (a law, laws; the law) «law» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A law is a rule made by a government that everyone in a country or place must follow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#m1) 2. The law means all of these rules together, and the system of police and courts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#m2) 3. A law of science (or of nature) is a rule that always seems to be true, such as the law of gravity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#m3) 4. Law is also the subject people study to become lawyers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#m4) ### In the lessons In everyday life laws keep people safe and fair: seat belt laws, road laws, laws against stealing; breaking the law can lead to a fine or worse. In civics lessons laws are made by Parliament (UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or Congress (USA). In science a law describes something that always happens, like objects falling because of gravity. Phrases: break the law, against the law, obey the law, by law, law and order, the law of gravity. ### Examples - It is against the law to steal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x1) - In many countries, wearing a seat belt is the law. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x2) - People who break the law may have to pay a fine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x3) - Laws are made by the government. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x4) - The police help to keep the law. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x5) - The law of gravity explains why things fall down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x6) - My aunt studied law at university. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x7) - By law, children must go to school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x8) - The laws of nature are unchangeable. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/#x9) ### Note Countable (a law, laws) for single rules; «the law» for the whole system. Do not confuse with «lore» (old stories and knowledge) or «low» (not high). School rules are rules, not laws; laws are made by governments. ## In Jewish tradition The Hebrew word is "torah", which means teaching or instruction, as in the laws given by God to Moses. The Psalms speak of loving the law, and Ezekiel gives "the law of the house", the rules for the Temple. In "mother-in-law" and "daughter-in-law" it only names family ties by marriage. **Interpretation.** Jewish tradition calls the whole Torah "the law" and believes it was given to Moses at Sinai. The rabbis taught that it includes both written and oral teaching. Psalm 119 is read as a long song of love for the Torah. ### Examples - Cursed be he that lieth with his mother-in-law. (Torah DEU.27.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/#x1) - And this is the law of the guilt-offering: it is most holy. (Torah LEV.7.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/#x2) - Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. (Torah DEU.33.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/#x3) - O how love I Thy law! (Writings PSA.119.97, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/#x4) - Behold, this is the law of the house. (Prophets EZK.43.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/#x5) - And Tamar his daughter-in-law bore him Perez and Zerah. (Writings 1CH.2.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/#x6) ### Note Countable (a law, laws) for single rules; «the law» for the whole system. Do not confuse with «lore» (old stories and knowledge) or «low» (not high). School rules are rules, not laws; laws are made by governments. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «law» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/law/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«law» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/law.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «law» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/law/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«law» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/law.html) on Mova free.