Ru"bric (?), n. [OE. rubriche,
OF. rubriche, F. rubrique ( cf. it. rubrica), fr.
L. rubrica red earth for coloring, red chalk, the title of a
law (because written in red), fr. ruber red. See red.]
That part of any work in the early manuscripts and typography
which was colored red, to distinguish it from other portions.
Hence, specifically: (a) A titlepage, or part of
it, especially that giving the date and place of printing; also, the
initial letters, etc., when printed in red. (b)
(Law books) The title of a statute; -- so called as being
anciently written in red letters. Bell.
(c) (Liturgies) The directions and rules
for the conduct of service, formerly written or printed in red; hence,
also, an ecclesiastical or episcopal injunction; -- usually in the
plural.
All the clergy in England solemnly pledge themselves to
observe the rubrics.
Hook.
(d) Hence, that which is established or
settled, as by authority; a thing definitely settled or fixed.
Cowper.
Nay, as a duty, it had no place or rubric in human
conceptions before Christianity.
De Quincey.
Ru"bric, v. t. To adorn ith red; to
redden; to rubricate. [R.] Johnson.
{ Ru"bric (?), Ru"bric*al (?) },
a. 1. Colored in, or marked
with, red; placed in rubrics.
What though my name stood rubric on the
walls
Or plaistered posts, with claps, in capitals?
Pope.
2. Of or pertaining to the rubric or
rubrics. "Rubrical eccentricities." C.
Kingsley.
Ru"bric (?), n. [OE. rubriche,
OF. rubriche, F. rubrique ( cf. it. rubrica), fr.
L. rubrica red earth for coloring, red chalk, the title of a
law (because written in red), fr. ruber red. See red.]
That part of any work in the early manuscripts and typography
which was colored red, to distinguish it from other portions.
Hence, specifically: (a) A titlepage, or part of
it, especially that giving the date and place of printing; also, the
initial letters, etc., when printed in red. (b)
(Law books) The title of a statute; -- so called as being
anciently written in red letters. Bell.
(c) (Liturgies) The directions and rules
for the conduct of service, formerly written or printed in red; hence,
also, an ecclesiastical or episcopal injunction; -- usually in the
plural.
All the clergy in England solemnly pledge themselves to
observe the rubrics.
Hook.
(d) Hence, that which is established or
settled, as by authority; a thing definitely settled or fixed.
Cowper.
Nay, as a duty, it had no place or rubric in human
conceptions before Christianity.
De Quincey.
Ru"bric, v. t. To adorn ith red; to
redden; to rubricate. [R.] Johnson.
{ Ru"bric (?), Ru"bric*al (?) },
a. 1. Colored in, or marked
with, red; placed in rubrics.
What though my name stood rubric on the
walls
Or plaistered posts, with claps, in capitals?
Pope.
2. Of or pertaining to the rubric or
rubrics. "Rubrical eccentricities." C.
Kingsley.
