CEREMONIAL, (ceremoniale), a book in which is prescribed the order of the ceremonies to be observed in certain actions and occasions of solemnity and pomp. The ceremonial of the Roman church is called ordo Romanus. It was published in 1516 by the bishop of Corcyra; at which the college of cardinals were so scandalized, that some of them voted to have the author as well as book burnt, for his temerity in expounding the sacred ceremonies to the eyes of profane people.
CEREMONIAL is also used for the set or system of rules and ceremonies which custom has introduced for regulating our behaviour, and which persons practise towards each other, either out of duty, decency, or civility.