Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Rural?

\Ru"ral\, a. [F., fr. L. ruralis, fr. rus, ruris, the country. Cf. {Room} space, {Rustic}.] 1. Of or pertaining to the country, as distinguished from a city or town; living in the country; suitable for, or resembling, the country; rustic; as, rural scenes; a rural prospect. Here is a rural fellow; . . . He brings you figs. --Shak. 2. Of or pertaining to agriculture; as, rural economy. {Rural dean}. (Eccl.) See under {Dean}. {Rural deanery} (Eccl.), the state, office, or residence, of a rural dean. Syn: Rustic. Usage: {Rural}, {Rustic}. Rural refers to the country itself; as, rural scenes, prospects, delights, etc. Rustic refers to the character, condition, taste, etc., of the original inhabitants of the country, who were generally uncultivated and rude; as, rustic manners; a rustic dress; a rustic bridge; rustic architecture, etc. We turn To where the silver Thames first rural grows. --Thomson. Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue, by; To manly confidence thy throughts apply. --Dryden.