I. ˈrich(ə)wəl, -chəl adjective
Etymology: Latin ritualis, from ritus rite + -alis -al — more at rite
: of, relating to, or employed in rites or a ritual : forming a ritual : ceremonial
a ritual dance of Haiti — Nicolas Slonimsky
the kind of material and the kind of knot have great ritual importance — N.F.Busch
relatives and most ardent disciples, paying their ritual calls — Time
our favorite ritual phrases — James Blish
sedate little colonial tribe, with its ritual tea parties and tennis parties — Nadine Gordimer
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the forms of conducting a devotional service especially as established by tradition or by sacerdotal prescription : the prescribed order and words of a religious ceremony
the rain ritual is simple — M.A.Jaspan
thus the religion becomes more and more of an empty ritual — C.W.Thayer
2.
a. : a code or system of rites (as of a fraternal society)
the opposition party is compelled by parliamentary ritual to vote no — V.O.Key
b. : any practice done or regularly repeated in a set precise manner so as to satisfy one's sense of fitness and often felt to have a symbolic or quasi-symbolic significance
busy among her pots and pans, making a ritual of her household duties — W.S.Maugham
essential to reach a cave round the next headland where she would sit down facing the sea before she thought about anything — thus making a little ritual against despair — Audrey Barker
3.
a. : a book containing the rites or ceremonial forms to be observed by an organization (as a church or fraternal society)
b. : the verbal formulas of ritual
4. : an act of ritual
to take your girl to the flicks on Saturday night is a ritual — John Berger
the neurotic is isolated by his very rituals — David Riesman
the elaborate rituals of present-day medicine — Journal American Medical Association
Synonyms: see form