Rubric RU'BRIC, n. [L. rubrica; rubeo, to be red.]
1. In the canon law, a title or article in certain ancient law books; so called because written in red letters.
2. Directions printed in prayer books.
The rubric and the rules relating to the liturgy are established by royal authority, as well as the liturgy itself.
RU'BRIC, v.t. To adorn with red.

rubric n 1: an authoritative rule of conduct or procedure 2: an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text [syn: gloss, rubric] 3: directions for the conduct of Christian church services (often printed in red in a prayer book) 4: a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with; "Title 8 provided federal help for schools" [syn: title, statute title}, rubric] 5: a title or heading that is printed in red or in a special type 6: category name; "it is usually discussed under the rubric of `functional obesity'" v 1: adorn with ruby red color

rubric c.1300, "directions in religious services" (often in red writing), from O.Fr. rubrique, from L. rubrica "red ochre, red coloring matter," from ruber (see red).

rubric noun Etymology: Middle English rubrike red ocher, heading in red letters of part of a book, from Anglo-French, from Latin rubrica, from rubr-, ruber red Date: 14th century 1. a. an authoritative rule; especially a rule for conduct of a liturgical service b. (1) name, title; specifically the title of a statute (2) something under which a thing is classed ; category <the sensations falling under the general rubric, “pressure” — F. A. Geldard> c. an explanatory or introductory commentary ; gloss; specifically an editorial interpolation 2. a heading of a part of a book or manuscript done or underlined in a color (as red) different from the rest 3. an established rule, tradition, or custom • rubric or rubrical adjective • rubrically adverb

rubric
n.
1 a direction for the conduct of divine service inserted in a liturgical book.
2 a heading or passage in red or special lettering.
3 explanatory words.
4 an established custom.
Derivatives:
rubrical adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF rubrique, rubrice or L rubrica (terra) red (earth or ochre) as writing-material, rel. to rubeus red

RUBRIC was my What's The Word? choice for Friday, May 8, 2009

rubric (rubrics) 1. A rubric is a set of rules or instructions, for example the rules at the beginning of an examination paper. (FORMAL) There was a firm rubric in the book about what had to be observed when interrogating anyone under seventeen. N-COUNT 2. A rubric is a title or heading under which something operates or is studied. (FORMAL) The aid comes under the rubric of technical co-operation between governments. = title, heading N-COUNT

rubric ˈru:brɪk n. 1 a direction for the conduct of divine service inserted in a liturgical book. 2 a heading or passage in red or special lettering. 3 explanatory words. 4 an established custom. øørubrical adj. [ME f. OF rubrique, rubrice or L rubrica (terra) red (earth or ochre) as writing-material, rel. to rubeus red]

Rubric \Ru"bric\, n. [OE. rubriche, OF. rubriche, F. rubrique ( cf. it. rubrica), fr. L. rubrica red earth for coloring, red chalk, the title of a law (because written in red), fr. ruber red. See red.] That part of any work in the early manuscripts and typography which was colored red, to distinguish it from other portions. Hence, specifically: (a) A titlepage, or part of it, especially that giving the date and place of printing; also, the initial letters, etc., when printed in red. (b) (Law books) The title of a statute; -- so called as being anciently written in red letters. --Bell. (c) (Liturgies) The directions and rules for the conduct of service, formerly written or printed in red; hence, also, an ecclesiastical or episcopal injunction; -- usually in the plural. All the clergy in England solemnly pledge themselves to observe the rubrics. --Hook. (d) Hence, that which is established or settled, as by authority; a thing definitely settled or fixed. --Cowper. Nay, as a duty, it had no place or rubric in human conceptions before Christianity. --De Quincey.

Rubric \Ru"bric\, v. t. To adorn ith red; to redden; to rubricate. [R.] --Johnson.

Rubric \Ru"bric\, Rubrical \Ru"bric*al\, a. 1. Colored in, or marked with, red; placed in rubrics. What though my name stood rubric on the walls Or plaistered posts, with claps, in capitals? --Pope. 2. Of or pertaining to the rubric or rubrics. ``Rubrical eccentricities.'' --C. Kingsley.

200 Moby Thesaurus words for "rubric": Sefer Torah, Torah, Torah scroll, Virginal, abbreviation, abbreviature, abrege, abridgment, abstract, act, appellation, appellative, banner, banner head, basis, bill, blood, bracket, branch, breviary, brief, burden, bylaw, canon, capsule, caption, case, caste, category, chapter, church book, clan, class, code, cognomen, commandment, compend, concern, condensation, condensed version, conspectus, convention, decree, denomination, designation, dictate, dictation, dictum, digest, division, draft, drop head, dropline, edict, enactment, epigraph, epitome, essence, estate, euchologion, euchology, farse, focus of attention, focus of interest, form, formality, formula, formulary, general principle, gist, golden rule, grade, group, grouping, guideline, guiding principle, hanger, head, heading, headline, imperative, incarnadine, institution, issue, jump head, jus, kin, label, law, lectionary, legend, legislation, level, lex, litany, living issue, machzor, main point, manual, matter, matter in hand, maxim, measure, meat, memorable, missal, mitzvah, moral, motif, motive, motto, nomen, norm, notable, observable, order, ordinal, ordinance, ordonnance, outline, overline, overview, pandect, pigeonhole, point, point at issue, point in question, pontifical, position, prayer book, precis, predicament, prescript, prescription, principium, principle, problem, question, race, rank, rating, red-letter, regulation, review, ritual, rituale, rubify, ruby, ruddle, ruddy, rule, ruling, running head, running title, scarehead, screamer, section, sept, service book, set, settled principle, shortened version, siddur, skeleton, sketch, spread, spreadhead, standard, standing order, station, status, statute, strain, stratum, streamer, style, subdivision, subgroup, subhead, subheading, subject, subject matter, subject of thought, suborder, substance, subtitle, superscription, survey, syllabus, synopsis, tenet, text, theme, thumbnail sketch, title, title page, topic, topical outline, working principle, working rule

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