rite

Noun
US[rahyt]/raɪt/1 syllable
Synonyms: religious riteritual

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)rites

  1. an established ceremony prescribed by a religion“the rite of baptism”Synonyms: religious riteType of religious ceremony, religious ritualKinds orgy, vigil, circumcision, liturgy, office, last rites
  2. any customary observance or practiceSynonyms: ritualType of custom, usageKinds marriage, betrothal, rite of passageParts ritual dancing, ritual dance

Related words ritual adjective, ritualise verb

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hiatusnoun

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Rite noun

Origin: L. ritus; cf. Skr. rīti a stream, a running, way, manner, ri to flow: cf. F. rit, rite. CF. Rivulet.

The act of performing divine or solemn service, as established by law, precept, or custom; a formal act of religion or other solemn duty; a solemn observance; a ceremony; as, the rites of freemasonry.

He looked with indifference on rites, names, and forms of ecclesiastical polity.— Thomas Babington Macaulay

Synonyms: Form; ceremony; observance; ordinance.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

The Devil's Dictionary

RITE, n. A religious or semi-religious ceremony fixed by law, precept or custom, with the essential oil of sincerity carefully squeezed out of it.
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