solemnity

[suh-lem-ni-tee]

See more synonyms for solemnity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural so·lem·ni·ties.

the state or character of being solemn; earnestness; gravity; impressiveness: the solemnity of a state funeral.
Often solemnities. a solemn observance, ceremonial proceeding, or special formality: the solemnities of Easter.
Law. a formality that renders an act or document valid.

Origin of solemnity

1250–1300; Middle English solempnete < Old French < Latin sollemnitās, equivalent to sollemnis solemn + -itās- -ity

Related formso·ver·so·lem·ni·ty, nounsem·i·so·lem·ni·ty, nounsu·per·so·lem·ni·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for solemnity

seriousness, earnestness, gravity, ceremony, impressiveness

Examples from the Web for solemnity

Contemporary Examples of solemnity

Ghusul is a ritual cleansing from head to toe, in this instance performed with all the solemnity of a trip to a water park.
ISIS Has a Bigger Coalition Than We Do
Michael Daly
October 15, 2014
The Roman Catholic Church refers to it as the “Solemnity of All Saints.”
The Meaning of "Halloween"
Dictionary.com
October 29, 2010

Historical Examples of solemnity

You know, my dear, that there is a good deal of solemnity among us.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
But I can say, and say with truth, and solemnity, that the idee didn't scare me none.
Samantha Among the Brethren, Part 4.
Josiah Allen's Wife (Marietta Holley)
We marched along like this with all the stateliness and solemnity of camels!
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
Satisfied by the solemnity of my promise, Olivia now suffered me to depart.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
What he said was very gentle, and it seemed to me it was his solemnity that made him gentle.
Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood
George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for solemnity

solemnity

noun plural -ties

the state or quality of being solemn
(often plural) solemn ceremony, observance, celebration, etc
law a formality necessary to validate a deed, act, contract, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for solemnity

c.1300, "observance of ceremony," from Old French solemnite, solempnete "celebration, high festival, church ceremony" and directly from Latin solemnitatem (nominative solemnitas) "a solemnity," from sollemnis (see solemn). Meaning "state of being solemn" is from 1712. Related: Solemnities.