ru|bric

ru|bric «ROO brihk», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. the title or heading, as of a chapter or a law, written or printed in red or in special lettering.

2. a direction for the conducting of religious services, inserted in a prayer book or ritual.

3. Figurative. any heading, rule, or guide: »

I talked to him till I was black in the face, and all I got out of him was the law and the rubrics (Frank O'Connor).

4. Archaic. a) red ocher. b) a red color.

–adj.

= rubrical. (Cf. ↑rubrical)

╂[< Old French rubrique, learned borrowing from Late Latin rubrīca rubric < Latin, red colo, red coloring matter < ruber red]