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| rite [ rīt ] (plural rites) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. ceremonial act: a solemn ceremony or procedure customary to a community, especially a religious group
(
often used in the plural
)
  the rite of baptism
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2. set procedure: a formal and established observance or practice
(
often used in the plural
)
rites of courtship
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3. ceremonial way of proceeding: a system of ceremonial procedures
the Roman rite
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4. christianity liturgical procedure: a liturgy or version of a liturgy, especially of a Communion service
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5. christianity division of churches: a historical division of Christian churches based on their liturgies
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| [14th century. Directly or via French< Latin ritus< Indo-European, "fit together"] |
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