Defn: 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. Macaulay.
Syn.
— Form; ceremony; observance; ordinance.
RITENUTO
Ri`te*nu"to, a. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: Held back; holding back; ritardando.
RITORNELLE; RITORNELLO Rit`or*nelle", Ri`tor*nel"lo, n. Etym: [It. ritornello, dim. of ritorno return, fr. ritornare to return: cf. F. ritournelle.] (Mus.) (a) A short return or repetition; a concluding symphony to an air, often consisting of the burden of the song. (a) A short intermediate symphony, or instrumental passage, in the course of a vocal piece; an interlude.
RITRATTO
Ri*trat"to, n.Etym: [It.]
Defn: A picture. Sterne.
RITUAL
Rit"u*al, a.Etym: [L. ritualis, fr. ritus a rite: cf. F. rituel.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to rites or ritual; as, ritual service or sacrifices; the ritual law.
RITUAL
Rit"u*al, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rituel.]