solemnity
solemnity
Definition
so·lem·nity (sə lem′nə tē)
noun pl. -·ties
- solemn ceremony, ritual, observance, etc.
- solemn feeling, character, or appearance; serious or awesome quality; gravity
- Law the formality needed to validate an act, contract, etc.
Etymology: ME solempnete < OFr solempneté < L sollemnitas
solemnity
Synonyms
solemnity
Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- occasion: Wedding readings can add to the solemnity of an occasion, or provide a welcome moment of light relief.
- day: A reverent silence filled the hall, as tho all felt deeply the solemnity of this day.
- ceremony: Only venues which would not compromise the solemnity of the ceremony can be approved.
- manner: A good flow of language, solemnity of manner, and plausible philosophy, carry them away.
- night: For his solemnity of the night before had greatly impressed me.
- death: The solemnity of death would rest upon the people; you could not see a movement or hear a sound.
Converse of object
- celebrate: Wherefore, in their company enlist us who keep thy memory with faith, celebrating thy holy solemnity on this day.
- give: This faith gives a solemnity to his reveries that render them to me almost as imposing and interesting as truth.
- add: Unlike the Presbyterian minister, he does not usually add solemnity to the occasion by wearing a shiny lum hat!
- compromise: Only venues which would not compromise the solemnity of the ceremony can be approved.
- have: English seaside resorts have a strange icy solemnity that you can never quite get out of your system.
- emphasize: Here the silence is effective as it encourages the viewer to focus on their grace and technique, and emphasizes the solemnity of death.
Adjective modifier
- awful: It seems strange to us that they are not stricken dumb by the new and awful solemnity of their position.
- great: In the year 1130 Merton Abbey was first built with stone, the founder himself laid the first stone, with great solemnity.
- due: His remains were removed and reinterred with due solemnity, on the 13th October 1853 " Sources: The Mail and Empire.
- much: Your old preceptor repeated, with much solemnity, the speech How far is't called to Fores?
- mock: Grant is ill, " said she, with mock solemnity.
- holy: Wherefore, in their company enlist us who keep thy memory with faith, celebrating thy holy solemnity on this day.
Noun used with modifier
- dread: I looked at Ward again, and he had thrown off his dread solemnity and was laughing also.
Browse dictionary entries near solemnity
- solemnify
- solemn vow
- Solemn (High) Mass
- solemn
- solely
- solecism
- sole proprietorship
- sole
- soldo
- soldiery
- solemnity of contract
- solemnize
- solemnly
- solenocyte
- solenoglyph
- solenoid
- Solent
- soleplate
- soles
- Soleure
