rit·u·al (r ch  - l)n. A detailed act or series of acts carried out by an individual to relieve anxiety or to forestall the development of anxiety. |
ritual
[rich′o̅o̅wəl]
1 a mental health disorder characterized by repetitive sequences of stereotyped daily life routines, such as repeated handwashing, that interferes with an individual's level of functioning.
2 a prescribed order of ceremonial acts or series of acts.
3 a detailed procedure followed faithfully or regularly.
ritual
Psychiatry Repetitive complex movements, often a distorted or stereotyped elaboration of a daily routine, used to relieve anxiety, or seen in obsessive compulsive disorder. See Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cf Motor tic.
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