01 n. A rite or ceremony performed with religious reverence; religious or ritual ceremony; as, the solemnity of a funeral, a sacrament.
pl.
Solemnities ((#))
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1.
A rite or ceremony performed with religious reverence; religious or ritual ceremony; as, the solemnity of a funeral, a sacrament.“Great was the cause; our old solemnities From no blind zeal or fond tradition rise, But saved from death, our Argives yearly pay These grateful honors to the god of day.” — Pope.
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2.
ceremony adapted to impress with awe.“The forms and solemnities of the last judgment.” — Atterburry.
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3.
Ceremoniousness; impressiveness; seriousness; grave earnestness; formal dignity; gravity.“With much glory and great solemnity.” — Chaucer.“The statelines and gravity of the Spaniards shows itself in the solemnity of their language.” — Addison.“These promises were often made with great solemnity and confirmed with an oath.” — J. Edwards.
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4.
Hence, affected gravity or seriousness.“Solemnity 's a cover for a sot.” — Young.
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5.
Solemn state or feeling; awe or reverence; also, that which produces such a feeling; as, the solemnity of an audience; the solemnity of Westminster Abbey.
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6.
A solemn or formal observance; proceeding according to due form; the formality which is necessary to render a thing done valid.(Law)