law-n; 5 Senses

Sense Number 1: a legal rule

Commentary: A legal document that regulates something.

Examples:
Alabama has a law against kidnapping, among other activities.
Senator McCain passed a law that reformed the funding of political campaigns.
We have laws against that sort of thing!
John broke about a dozen public-nuisance laws that night.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: the set of rules

Commentary: The abstract collection of rules, or a division thereof, that governs human society. Usually imposed by a ruling body.

Examples:
Stealing music is against the law.
Our city saw a breakdown of law and order.
Civilization presupposes respect for the rule of law.
The law forbids you to smoke in bars anymore.
I don't know much about European contract law.
Louis XIV ruled by divine law.
Locke believed in a benign natural law, by which people can peacefully govern themselves.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: 2 4 7

Sense Number 3: a scientific principle

Commentary: A generalization that describes a fact or recurring event in nature.

Examples:
Newton's First Law of Motion was always my favorite.
Only Bugs Bunny can defy the laws of thermodynamics.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: the legal profession or practice

Commentary: Refers narrowly to what you learn in law school and to what a lawyer practices.

Examples:
He studied law for three years at Yale.
John wanted to get into law after graduation.
Bobby Donnell practiced law for six years.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 5: the police, in general

Commentary: Refers to the police, or any law-enforcement body, in a general way. Tends to have a long arm.

Examples:
The law came looking for Billy the Kid.
I don't want to get in trouble with the law!
For years he'd been running from the law.

Mappings:
WordNet 2.0 Sense Numbers: 6