(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 exposing the sacred ceremonies to the eyes of profane people.

is also used for the set or system of rules and ceremonies which custom has introduced for regulating our behaviour, and which persons practice towards each other, either out of duty, decency, or civility.

in a more particular sense, denotes the manner in which princes and ambassadors used to receive and to treat one another. There are endless disputes among sovereigns about the ceremonial: some endeavouring to be on a level, and others to be superior; inasmuch that numerous schemes have been proposed for settling them. The chief are, 1. To accommodate the difference by compromise or alternation; so that one shall precede now, the other the next time; or one in one place, and the other in another: 2. By seniority; so that an elder prince in years shall precede a younger, without any other distinction.

These expedients, however, have not yet been accepted by any, except some alternate princes, as they are called, in Germany.