Rural, a.
Etymology: [F., fr. L.ruralis, fr. rus, ruris, the country. Cf. Room space, Rustic.]
1. Of or pertaining to the country, as distinguished from a city or town; living in the country; suitable for, or resembling, the country; rustic; as, rural scenes; a rural prospect. Here is a rural fellow; . . . He brings you figs. Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to agriculture; as, rural economy. Rural dean. (Eccl.) See under Dean. -- Rural deanery (Eccl.), the state, office, or residence, of a rural dean.
Syn. -- Rustic. -- Rural, Rustic. Rural refers to the country itself; as, rural scenes, prospects, delights, etc. Rustic refers to the character, condition, taste, etc., of the original inhabitans of the country, who were generally uncultivated and rude; as, rustic manners; a rustic dress; a rustic bridge; rustic architecture, etc. We turn To where the silver Thames first rural grows. Thomson. Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue, by; To manly confidence thy throughts apply. Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for rural; he lists it under rustic.
Where he writes about it:
Rural and rustic are alike derived from the Latin rus, country, and may be alike defined as pertaining to, characteristic of, or dwelling in the country; but in usage rural refers especially to scenes or objects in the country, considered as the work of nature; rustic refers to their effect upon man or to their condition as affected by human agency; as, a rural scene; a rustic party; a rustic lass. — from rustic
We speak, however, of the rural population, rural simplicity, etc. — from rustic
Rural has always a favorable sense; rustic frequently an unfavorable one, as denoting a lack of culture and refinement; thus, rustic politeness expresses that which is well-meant, but awkward; similar ideas are suggested by a rustic feast, rustic garb, etc. — from rustic