[rit.u.al] adj [L ritualis, fr. ritus rite] (1570) 1: of or relating to rites or a ritual: ceremonial "a ~ dance"
2: according to religious law or social custom "~ purity" -- rit.u.al.ly adv
[2]ritual n (1649) 1: the established form for a ceremony; specif: the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony
2. a: ritual observance; specif: a system of rites b: a ceremonial act or action c: a customarily repeated often formal act or series of acts