Main Entry:

ru·bric

Pronunciation:

\ˈrü-brik, -ˌbrik\

Function:

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 interpolation2: a heading of a part of a book or manuscript done or underlined in a color (as red) different from the rest3: an established rule, tradition, or custom

— rubric or ru·bri·cal \-bri-kəl\ adjective

— ru·bri·cal·ly \-bri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb