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ceremony
The definition of a ceremony is a formal event that occurs as a result of a special occasion or to commemorate something, or a special series of acts performed in an established or set manner according to tradition or custom.
(noun)- A graduation event where graduates are given their diploma is an example of a graduation ceremony.
- A routine for serving tea in a very formal and elaborate manner is an example of a tea ceremony.
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See ceremony in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun pl. ceremonies
- a formal act or set of formal acts established by custom or authority as proper to a special occasion, such as a wedding, religious rite, etc.
- the service or function at which such acts are performed
- a conventionally courteous or polite act
- behavior that follows rigid etiquette or a prescribed form
- formality or formalities
- empty or meaningless formality, or an act suggesting this
Origin: ME cerimonie < L caerimonia, awe, reverent rite, ceremony; prob. < Etr
See ceremony in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. cer·e·mo·nies
- A formal act or set of acts performed as prescribed by ritual or custom: a wedding ceremony; the Japanese tea ceremony.
- A conventional social gesture or act of courtesy: the ceremony of shaking hands when introduced.
- A formal act without intrinsic purpose; an empty form: ignored the ceremony of asking for comments from other committee members.
- Strict observance of formalities or etiquette: The head of state was welcomed with full ceremony.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English ceremonie
Origin: , from Latin caerimōnia, religious rite
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