from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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Here is a rural fellow; . . .
He brings you figs. --Shak.
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2. Of or pertaining to agriculture; as, rural economy.
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{Rural dean}. (Eccl.) See under {Dean}.
{Rural deanery} (Eccl.), the state, office, or residence, of
a rural dean.
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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.
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We turn
To where the silver Thames first rural grows.
--Thomson.
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Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue, by;
To manly confidence thy throughts apply.
--Dryden.
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