Rūs'tic1, a.
a. [Lat. rusticus, from rus, ruris, the country; Fr. rustique, Pr. rustic, rostic, Sp., Pg., & It. rustico.]
Sense 1. Pertaining to the country; rural; as, the rustic gods of antiquity. “Rustic lays.” Milton.
And many a holy text around she strews, That teach the rustic moralist to die. Gray.
Sense 2. Rude; unpolished; rough; awkward; as, rustic manners or behavior. “A rustic muse.” Spenser.
Sense 3. Coarse; plain; simple; as, rustic entertainment; rustic dress.
Sense 4. Simple; artless; unadorned.
With unguents smooth the polished marble shone, Where ancient Neleus sat, a rustic throne. Pope.
Rustic work. (Arch.) (a.) An affected imitation of roughly constructed building or decoration, produced in masonry by leaving the surfaces of stones rough, and the like. (b.) (Wood Work.) Furniture for summer-houses, &c., made of rough limbs of trees fancifully arranged. Fairholt.
Synonyms—Rural; rude; unpolished; inelegant; untaught; awkward; rough; coarse; plain; unadorned; simple; artless; honest. See RURAL.
