— ruralism , n. — ruralist, ruralite , n. — rurally , adv. — ruralness , n.
/roor"euhl/ , adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the country, country life, or country people; rustic: rural tranquillity.
2. living in the country: the rural population.
3. of or pertaining to agriculture: rural economy.
n.
4. a person who lives in a rural area.
[ 1375-1425; late ME ruralis, equiv. to rur- (s. of rus ) the country, rural land (akin to ROOM) + -alis -AL 1 ]
Syn. 1. unsophisticated, rough. RURAL and RUSTIC are terms that refer to the country. RURAL is the official term: rural education. It may be used subjectively, and usually in a favorable sense: the charm of rural life. RUSTIC, however, may have either favorable or unfavorable connotations. In a derogatory sense, it means provincial, boorish, or crude; in a favorable sense, it may suggest ruggedness or a homelike rural charm: rustic simplicity.
Ant. 1. urban.