Source : WordNet®

rule out
     v 1: make impossible, especially beforehand [syn: {preclude}, {close
          out}]
     2: include or exclude by determining judicially or in agreement
        with rules [syn: {rule in}]
     3: dismiss from consideration; "John was ruled out as a
        possible suspect because he had a strong alibi"; "This
        possibility can be eliminated from our consideration"
        [syn: {eliminate}, {reject}]