Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The quality or condition of being solemn.
- noun A solemn observance or proceeding.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A rite or ceremony performed with religious reverence; a ceremonial or festal occasion; ceremony in general; celebration; festivity.
- noun The state or character of being solemn; gravity; impressiveness; solemness: as, the solemnity of his manner; a ceremony of great solemnity.
- noun Affected or mock gravity or seriousness; an aspect of pompous importance.
- noun In law, a solemn nr formal observance; the formality requisite to render an act valid.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A rite or ceremony performed with religious reverence; religious or ritual ceremony.
- noun ceremony adapted to impress with awe.
- noun Ceremoniousness; impressiveness; seriousness; grave earnestness; formal dignity; gravity.
- noun Hence, affected gravity or seriousness.
- noun Solemn state or feeling; awe or reverence; also, that which produces such a feeling.
- noun (Law) A solemn or formal observance; proceeding according to due form; the formality which is necessary to render a thing done valid.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The quality of being deeply
serious andsober orsolemn . - noun An instance or example of solemn behavior.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a solemn and dignified feeling
- noun a trait of dignified seriousness
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word solemnity.
Examples
-
The term solemnity is also used in contracts, especially matrimony, in votive Masses, in vows, and in ecclesiastical trials.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 14: Simony-Tournon 1840-1916 1913
-
All of this points to a new interest in solemnity, decorum, and beauty in Catholic liturgy.
-
Isaiah 30: 29 "Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord."
Festivals around the world roverthedog 2007
-
The film's solemnity is appropriate for its subject matter, and it reflects the artist's sincerity.
-
St. John of the Cross 'solemnity is celebrated today by the Discalced Carmelites.
12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004 John 2003
-
The word solemnity is here used to denote the amount of intrinsic or extrinsic pomp with which a feast is celebrated.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 14: Simony-Tournon 1840-1916 1913
-
And while Old Hurricane stared his eyes half out, the parties most interested opened the papers, which they found to be rather pressing invitations to be present at a certain solemnity at Staunton.
The Hidden Hand 1888
-
Thus we have seen this sealed book passing with great solemnity from the hand of the Creator into the hand of the Redeemer.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721
-
Thus without pomp or solemnity is the body of Jesus laid in the cold and silent grave.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume V (Matthew to John) 1721
-
29 Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume IV (Isaiah to Malachi) 1721
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.