rubric

Where does the word "rubric" come from? It comes from Latin ruber, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Rubric’s story begins in Latin: ruber meant “red.” Red ink marked headings in manuscripts. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as rubrique. Instructions printed in red. It reached English by 1300s as rubric. 'rubric' for a marking scheme dates from the 1900s. Today, rubric means a heading; a set of instructions.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ruber "red", red ink marked headings in manuscripts.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval rubrique "red heading", instructions printed in red.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s rubric "red heading", 'rubric' for a marking scheme dates from the 1900s.