lesbian rule

Noun capitalized: Lesbian rule

Lesbian rule (plural Lesbian rules)

1. (rare) A flexible leaden mason's rule that can be bent around the curves of a molding, and thus used to measure or reproduce irregular curves.
   • Or, with a Lesbian rule—that strip of soft lead which could be pressed into a particularly satisfying molding to record its profile—we explored buildings that interested us.1957, AIA Journal, American Institute of Architects
   • Instead , the good architect would use a "Lesbian" rule, which "adapts itself to the shape of the stone and is not rigid."1994, The Journal of the Legal Profession
2. (broadly) A flexible principle, one which may be bent to accommodate or fit different circumstances.
   • He asks: “Is Scripture become a Lesbian rule and bowed to our fancies? But this is the very answer that a classical brother gave me […]1850, The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review, page 36
   • […] that it may exercise authority as a rule for the direction of life, and for prescribing some limits to liberty, and not that it may be slavishly subservient to the wills of men, like a Lesbian rule, which may be accommodated to every condition; since these are some of the properties of...1853, Jacobus Arminius, The Works of James Arminius, page 152