solemnify

American  

[suh-lem-nuh-fahy] / səˈlɛm nəˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

solemnified, solemnifying

1. to make solemn.

   to solemnify an occasion with hymns and prayers.

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solemnify British  

/ səˈlɛmnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to make serious or grave

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Other Word Forms

• solemnification noun
• unsolemnified adjective

Etymology

Origin of solemnify

First recorded in 1880–85; solemn + -ify

Example Sentences

Then, last year, he decided to have a go – and by "have a go" we mean "solemnify" – Mariah Carey's Touch My Body and Destiny's Child's Say My Name.

From The Guardian

The statement came in the form of a letter addressed to European Union leaders on the eve of an E.U. euro zone summit called to solemnify a $143 billion loan package for Greece from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

From Washington Post

When his counterpart, James Baker, appears in the briefing room they share, the former Secretary of State brings aides, files and a bank of supplementary flags to solemnify his surroundings.

From Time Magazine Archive