I. (ˈ)rüˈtēn noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from route traveled way
1.
a. : a standard practice : regular course of procedure
the old speakeasy routine of having a guard inspect you with one eye through a peephole — Robert Shaplen
the usual routine of appointment: tutor, 1871-74; assistant professor, 1875-80; professor, 1880-1916 — J.M.Berdan
b. : the habitual method of performance of established procedures
the matter-of-fact laconic routine of the hospital — Leslie Rees
housewives, their routine quickened by the pace of wartime living — Monsanto Magazine
c. : a repetitive speech or formula
that old routine about his welfare, and what was best for it — Gregor Felsen
the “visit your dentist twice a year” routine — Spokane (Wash.) Spokesman Review
2.
a. : adherence to a pattern of behavior characterized by mechanical repetition
most of us are blind — made so by custom and routine — C.S.Kilby
b. : the quality or state of being humdrum
sell out quickly … to avoid the dull routine of development — American Guide Series: Nevada
3.
a. : an established sequence of operations (as in a factory or business establishment)
b. : a sequence of computer instructions for performing a particular task
4.
a. : a standardized piece of entertainment or showmanship : act , bit
went through the hat routine for distinguished guests — Time
specifically : a theatrical number
a breathtaking routine on a tightrope — New Yorker
sitting out front at rehearsals, he jots down … a description of each routine — H.W.Wind
b. : a fixed series of dance steps or rhythmic movements
can pick up a difficult tap routine at a single rehearsal — Agnes de Mille
II. (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
1. : of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary , usual
the level of artistry … was altogether routine and uninspired — Winthrop Sargeant
read about the spectacular flights, but … seldom read anything about the hundreds of routine flights made over the same country — Harold Griffin
a few phrases of routine patriotism — James Joll
the car performs well with only routine maintenance
2. : of, relating to, or in accordance with established procedure
the routine settlement of boundary disputes — S.F.Bemis
the routine use of the blood-pressure test — F.A.Faught
the purser's routine book … lists everything that has to be done — Saturday Review
• rou·tine·ly adverb
• rou·tine·ness noun -es
III. ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: routinize
a horse should not be routined in any one test — Notes on Dressage
routines the sequence of dialogue — Maurice Zolotow