4 ms·

Yes, I meant straight edge, sorry I had an ESL moment.

• pbhjpbhj 12y ago
  You're not wrong per se - a ruler usually has graduations but _could_ just be a straight-edge. However, as the GP says, "ruler" implies a straight-edged measuring stick (aka "measure" [n]). Ruler derives, I gather, from Latin regula which just means a straight stick or bar and in turn derives from terms referring to keeping straight (literally or figuratively). tl;dr measuring stick ⊂ ruler.
  • murbard2 12y ago
    My native tongue is French, where it is "règle et compas", I translated règle tu ruler, but added straight in front vaguely remembering that the English expression had the word "straight" in it.