n. 1 a religious or solemn observance or act (burial rites). 2 an action or procedure required or usual in this. 3 a body of customary observances characteristic of a Church or a part of it (the Latin rite). rite of passage (often in pl.) a ritual or event marking a stage of a person's advance through life, e.g. marriage. riteless adj.
[ ME f. OF rit, rite or L ritus (esp. religious) usage ]