foot rule

American  

noun

1. a ruler one foot (30.48 centimeters) in length.

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foot rule British  

noun

1. a rigid measure, one foot in length

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Etymology

Origin of foot rule

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

"There will be occasions were the 20 foot rule would be unconstitutional, but I'm not sure that would make the statute unconstitutional on its face," he says.

From US News • Jan. 11, 2016

He found Harry measuring with his foot rule a box for one of his finest paintings.

From The Measure of a Man by Merrill, Frank T. (Frank Thayer)

Balance a foot rule, containing a hole at its middle point F, as shown in Figure 97.

From General Science by Clark, Bertha M.

John smiled to see Harry from morning to night in deshabille as workmanlike as possible, with a foot rule or hammer constantly in his hand.

From The Measure of a Man by Merrill, Frank T. (Frank Thayer)

Mary Hope reproved them sternly, rapping on the kitchen table with a foot rule of some soft wood that blazoned along its length the name of a Pocatello hardware store.

From Rim o' the World by Fischer, Anton Otto