ritual
UK: ˈrɪtʃ.u.əl | US: ˈrɪtʃ.u.əl
n. a formal ceremony or series of acts performed in a prescribed order
n. a customary practice or habit
adj. relating to or done as a ritual
The word "ritual" traces back to the Latin ritus, meaning "rite" or "ceremony," combined with the adjectival suffix -alis (later adapted to -ual in Old French). Originally describing religious ceremonies, its meaning expanded to include any repeated, formalized practice. The morpheme rit- preserves the core idea of a prescribed act, while -ual marks its adjectival or nominal function.
The wedding ritual included lighting a unity candle.
Morning coffee became a comforting daily ritual for her.
Anthropologists study tribal rituals to understand cultural values.
The ritual cleansing of the temple occurs every full moon.
He followed the same pre-game ritual for good luck.