/ ˈrɪtʃuəl; NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun [ C , U ]
1.
a series of actions that are always performed in the same way, especially as part of a religious ceremony :
religious rituals
She objects to the ritual of organized religion.
2.
something that is done regularly and always in the same way :
Sunday lunch with the in-laws has become something of a ritual.
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
done as part of a ritual or ceremony :
ritual chanting
2.
always done or said in the same way, especially when this is not sincere :
ritual expressions of sympathy
► ritu·al·ly adverb :
The goat was ritually slaughtered.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (as an adjective): from Latin ritualis , from ritus (religious) usage.