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November 5, 2023
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| Word of the
Week--"rubric"
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Definition--1) A rubric is that
part of any work in the early
manuscripts and typography which was colored red, to distinguish it from
other portions. 2) The directions
and rules for the conduct of service formerly written or printed in red.
3) An authoritative rule or set of
rules. 4) A class or category.
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Discussion--The Romans called an
ordinance or law
a rubric, because it was written with vermilion and appeared in red
print. Additionally, in religious
services a direction in a missal, hymnal, or other liturgical book was
printed in red characters and
called a rubric. Later any title or heading of a book came to be
known as a rubric.
More recently, rubric has been used to indicate any authoritative
rule or direction and more generally as
a class or category as in the usage, "Let's discuss this under the rubric
of . . ."
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| Etymology--Rubric was
borrowed from the Latin
rubrica meaning a red ochre. The Latin root for red can
be seen in the French and Italian equivalents.
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Foreign
Translations
| French: |
rubrique (f) |
| Italian: |
regole |
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Jane Ellis
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