rite

rite

noun \ˈrīt\

Definition of RITE

1

a : a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony

b : the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches

2

: a ceremonial act or action <initiation rites>

3

: a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy

Examples of RITE

1. Incense is often burned in their religious rites.
2. <the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation>

Origin of RITE

Middle English, from Latin ritus; akin to Greek arithmos number — more at arithmetic

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RITE

Synonyms

ceremonial, ceremony, form, formality, observance, ritual, solemnity

Related Words

amenities, civility, decorum, etiquette, graces, proprieties; protocol; convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice (also practise), standard, tradition, way; celebration, service

Rhymes with RITE

bight, bite, blight, bright, byte, cite, dight, dite, fight, flight, fright, height, hight, kite, knight, krait, kyte, light, lite, might, mite, night, plight, quite, right, sight, site, sleight, slight, smite, spite, sprite, tight, trite, white, wight, wite, wright, write