rite
a formal or ceremonial act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious or other solemn use: rites of baptism; sacrificial rites.
a particular form or system of religious or other ceremonial practice: the Roman rite.
(often initial capital letter) a liturgy or liturgical system, especially one of the historical versions of the Eucharistic service: the Anglican Rite.
(sometimes initial capital letter)Eastern Church, Western Church. a division or differentiation of churches based on liturgical practice.
any customary observance or practice: the rite of afternoon tea.
Origin of rite
1synonym study For rite
Other words for rite
Other words from rite
- riteless, adjective
- rite·less·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with rite
Words Nearby rite
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rite in a sentence
The society she imagines has developed divergent theological myths and rites, like the annual “Mothering Monday,” a raucous holiday when men and women cross-dress and get wild.
In Anna North’s riveting ‘Outlawed,’ there’s nothing more dangerous than a childless woman | Ron Charles | January 7, 2021 | Washington PostNothing is sadder than sitting at a table of computers — unable to comfort my devastated father — and attempting to reinvent rites taken for granted.
Tallying up a year of loss: A lot of pounds, too many loved ones, countless connections | Jerry Brewer | December 27, 2020 | Washington PostThe wooden floors sloped, and signed photos of Harry Houdini and Harry Blackstone hung on the walls, like patron saints presiding over sacred, mysterious rites.
Al Cohen, D.C. magic shop proprietor who knew all the tricks, dies at 94 | Matt Schudel | December 18, 2020 | Washington PostThe next day, I visited Shakoor’s native village in Laribal Tral, where thousands of people participated in his last rites.
Of course, we shouldn’t be too quick to read Google the last rites.
In the neighborhoods they grow up in, prison is a rite of passage and being a street gangster is a viable career choice.
The Mexican Mafia Is the Daddy of All Street Gangs | Seth Ferranti | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor anyone whose political sympathies lie left of center, discovering and reading Chomsky is a rite of passage.
A rite of passage solely reserved for adolescent girls, the painful custom is believed to be as old as the local creation myth.
Facial Tattoos: The Tribal Female Rite in Papua New Guinea | Brandon Presser | August 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI had bought the device at rite-Aid precisely because it resembled a cigarette.
What is beginning to emerge is Brazil at an adolescent stage as part of a national rite of passage.
Brazil’s World Cup Is An Expensive, Exploitative Nightmare | Vac Verikaitis | May 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis important rite was just completed, when a packet was put into Ripperda's hand from Spain.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterBy submitting to the rite, every one that received circumcision became a debtor to do the whole law.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamThat the efficiency of this rite as a sign might be most complete, attention to it was enjoined under the greatest penalty.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamHad it not been for the Everlasting Covenant, the rite of sacrifice had not been instituted, and a priesthood had not been.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John CunninghamThe rite concludes by the recipient spitting on a consecrated host and the whole assembly piercing it in turn with stilettos.
Devil-Worship in France | Arthur Edward Waite
British Dictionary definitions for rite
/ (raɪt) /
a formal act or procedure prescribed or customary in religious ceremonies: fertility rites; the rite of baptism
a particular body of such acts or procedures, esp of a particular Christian Church: the Latin rite
a Christian Church: the Greek rite
Origin of rite
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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