nonruling

1 of 2

adjective

non·​rul·​ing ˌnän-ˈrü-liŋ 

: not exerting power or authority : not ruling

nonruling parties

Thus 1100-1250 will be designated as Early Middle English, when only the nonruling classes used English.

—Garland Cannon

nonruling

2 of 2

noun

plural nonrulings

: lack or absence of a ruling : the failure or refusal to issue a decisive ruling (as by a judge or governmental agency)

For strict constructionists, the nonruling allows the culture to sort out the arguments consistent with what clearly are changing social mores.

—Cal Thomas

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1971, in the meaning defined above