RITUALISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ritualism mean? 

• RITUALISM (noun)
  The noun RITUALISM has 2 senses:

1. the study of religious or magical rites and ceremonies

2. exaggerated emphasis on the importance of rites or ritualistic forms in worship

  Familiarity information: RITUALISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RITUALISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The study of religious or magical rites and ceremonies

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("ritualism" is a kind of...):

cultural anthropology; social anthropology (the branch of anthropology that deals with human culture and society)

Derivation:

ritualist (a social anthropologist who is expert on rites and ceremonies)

ritualistic (of or characterized by or adhering to ritualism)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exaggerated emphasis on the importance of rites or ritualistic forms in worship

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("ritualism" is a kind of...):

pattern; practice (a customary way of operation or behavior)

Derivation:

ritualist (an advocate of strict observance of ritualistic forms)

ritualistic (of or characterized by or adhering to ritualism)