The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Rural \Ru"ral\, a. [F., fr. L. ruralis, fr. rus, ruris, the
   country. Cf. Room space, Rustic.]
   1. Of or pertaining to the country, as distinguished from a
      city or town; living in the country; suitable for, or
      resembling, the country; rustic; as, rural scenes; a rural
      prospect.
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            Here is a rural fellow; . . .
            He brings you figs.                   --Shak.
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   2. Of or pertaining to agriculture; as, rural economy.
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   Rural dean. (Eccl.) See under Dean.

   Rural deanery (Eccl.), the state, office, or residence, of
      a rural dean.
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   Syn: Rustic.

   Usage: Rural, Rustic. Rural refers to the country itself;
          as, rural scenes, prospects, delights, etc. Rustic
          refers to the character, condition, taste, etc., of
          the original inhabitants of the country, who were
          generally uncultivated and rude; as, rustic manners; a
          rustic dress; a rustic bridge; rustic architecture,
          etc.
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                We turn
                To where the silver Thames first rural grows.
                                                  --Thomson.
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                Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue, by;
                To manly confidence thy throughts apply.
                                                  --Dryden.
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