law, rule, regulation, precept, statute, ordinance, canon mean a principle governing action or procedure.

law implies imposition by a sovereign authority and the obligation of obedience on the part of all subject to that authority.

rule applies to more restricted or specific situations.

regulation implies prescription by authority in order to control an organization or system.

precept commonly suggests something advisory and not obligatory communicated typically through teaching.

statute implies a law enacted by a legislative body.

ordinance applies to an order governing some detail of procedure or conduct enforced by a limited authority such as a municipality.

canon suggests in nonreligious use a principle or rule of behavior or procedure commonly accepted as a valid guide.

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion.

decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.