ritualist
ritualist Lexical Profile
ritualist Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who advocates, practices, or is devoted to the strict observance of religious or ceremonial rites.
"The priest was a devoted ritualist who ensured every detail of the ancient liturgy was performed with precision."
In sociology, an individual who abandons culturally prescribed goals of success while continuing to compulsively abide by institutional rules and routines.
"According to Merton's strain theory, the bureaucratic clerk had become a ritualist who followed every company rule without caring about the organization's actual mission."
• adjective
Relating to or characteristic of ritualism or its adherents.
"The congregation was divided over the introduction of ritualist practices into the traditional Sunday service."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 17th century from 'ritual' (ultimately from Latin 'ritualis', meaning 'relating to rites') plus the agentive suffix '-ist'. In sociology, Robert K. Merton popularized the term in his strain theory to describe someone who rejects societal goals of success while rigidly adhering to institutionalized rules.