ritualist

[ rich-oo-uh-list ]

noun

1. a student of or authority on ritual practices or religious rites.
2. a person who practices or advocates observance of ritual, as in religious services.
3. (initial capital letter) Anglican Church.
   1. a person who supports High Church principles.
   2. a supporter of the Oxford movement.

Other Words From

• anti·ritu·al·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ritualist¹

First recorded in 1650–60; ritual + -ist

Example Sentences

Analysts and Shinto ritualists have offered different speculation about what, exactly, Naruhito will do in there while 1,000 guests wait outside.

From New York Times

Some of the images show humans in what appears to be ceremonial garb or engaged in hunting or ritualist activities.

From Washington Times

He’s a ritualist, and his manners are abominable.”

From Project Gutenberg

It was a civil service, an educational structure, and a ritualist organization.

From Project Gutenberg

It made one man a ritualist, another an Ultramontane Roman Catholic, a third a skeptic.

From Project Gutenberg