Definition of: rubric

(r′brik) noun
1. That exceptional part of an early manuscript or a book that appears in red, or in some distinctive type: once used to indicate initial letters, caption words, headings, etc.
2. The heading or title of a statute or of a section in a code of law, formerly written in red.
3. Eccl. A direction or rule printed in devotional or liturgical office, as in a prayer book, missal, or breviary; also, such rules collectively.
4. A division, group, or category.
5. The color red.
6. Obs. Red ochre or chalk; reddle.
7. Any direction or rule of conduct.
8. A distinguishing flourish or mark after a person's signature.
—adjective
1. Red or reddish.
2. Written or printed in red.
—v.t. ·bricked, ·brick·ing Rare To rubricate. [<OF rubrique <L rubrica red earth <ruber red]
—ru′bri·cal adjective
—ru′bri·cal·ly adverb