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 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 ru·bri·cal \-bri-kəl\ adjective

— ru·bri·cal·ly \-bri-k(ə-)lē\ adverb