n.
Pronunciation: ' r ī t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ritus; akin to Greek arithmos number ― more at ARITHMETIC
Date: 14th century
1 a : a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony b : the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
2 : a ceremonial act or action <initiation rite s >
3 : a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy