Standard Lemma guide

rusticate

verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈrʌstɪkeɪt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be suspended or expelled temporarily from the university, either compulsorily or voluntarily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Qualifier: Durham University

Examples

  • The college rusticated him after he failed all his exams.
  • I was very unwell, so I had to rusticate for a year.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To construct so as to produce jagged or heavily textured surfaces.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To compel to live in or to send to the countryside; to cause to become rustic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To go to reside in the country.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

lend a rustic character to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • rusticate the house in the country

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

6

verb

Meaning 6

give (stone) a rustic look

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rebate

7

verb

Meaning 7

suspend temporarily from college or university, in England

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: send down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: suspend, debar

8

verb

Meaning 8

send to the country

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He was rusticated for his bad behavior

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: banish, ban

9

verb

Meaning 9

live in the country and lead a rustic life

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reside, shack, domicile, domiciliate

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin rūsticātus, perfect active participle of rūsticor (“to live in the countryside”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), originally in the same sense. First attested in the mid-17th century. By surface analysis, rustic + -ate (verb-forming suffix).

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: vyloučit ze studií — suspend or expel from a college or university
  • French: limoger — suspend or expel from a college or university
  • German: exmatrikulieren — suspend or expel from a college or university
  • German: zwangsexmatrikulieren — suspend or expel from a college or university
  • German: aufs Land ziehen — to go to reside in the country