Solemnities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Solemnity \So*lem"ni*ty\, n.; pl. {Solemnities}. [L. solemnitas,
     solennitas: cf. F. solennit['e], solemnit['e], OF. also
     sollempnit['e].]
     1. A rite or ceremony performed with religious reverence;
        religious or ritual ceremony; as, the solemnity of a
        funeral, a sacrament.


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              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.
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              The forms and solemnities of the last judgment.
                                                    --Atterburry.
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     3. Ceremoniousness; impressiveness; seriousness; grave
        earnestness; formal dignity; gravity.
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              With much glory and great solemnity.  --Chaucer.
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              The statelines and gravity of the Spaniards shows
              itself in the solemnity of their language.
                                                    --Addison.
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              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.
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              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. (Law) A solemn or formal observance; proceeding according
        to due form; the formality which is necessary to render a
        thing done valid.
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