ritual

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   of or relating to or employed in social rites or rituals

   a ritual dance of Haiti

2. 2
   adj

   of or relating to or characteristic of religious rituals

   ritual killing

3. 3
   adj

   Related to a rite or repeated set of actions.

   They performed the ritual lighting of the candles.

4. 4
   noun

   A rite; a repeated set of actions, especially in religious contexts.

   The priests carried out the religious ritual carefully.

5. 5
   noun

   stereotyped behavior

6. 6
   noun

   any customary observance or practice

7. 7
   noun

   the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies

Etymology

From Latin rītuālis (adjective), from rītus (“rite”) + -ālis. Displaced native Old English ġewuna and wuna.