1. The heading in a book that is highlighted in red: "The use of rubrics were used in some early manuscripts or books to indicate some distinctive letters or words; such as, some initial letters, caption words, headings, etc."
2. An established rule or custom, a guideline: "Some rubrics have been used as headings or titles of statutes or of sections in codes of law, many of which were written in red."
3. A printed set of scoring criteria for evaluating the work of students and for providing feedback from teachers to students: "A rubric is a category or a heading in a chart, or a rule of conduct: "A teacher's grading rubrics may include participation, homework completion, tests, quizzes, and compositions."
4. A distinguishing flourish or mark presented after a person's signature: "When Jason signed his name, he did it with some curved line or lines that were added to the top and bottom of letters in order to make them look more attractive or fancy."
5. Etymology: directions in religious services which were often written in red ink; from Old French rubrique; from Latin rubrica, "red ochre, red coloring matter"; from ruber, "red".