\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\, Rubrical \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.