solemnity

[ suh-lem-ni-tee ]

/ səˈlɛm nɪ ti /

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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.

Nearby words

solemn high mass, solemn league and covenant, solemn mass, solemn vow, solemnify, solemnity, solemnize, solemnly, solenette, solenocyte, solenodon

Origin of solemnity

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

Related forms

o·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
The Roman Catholic Church refers to it as the “Solemnity of All Saints.”
The Meaning of "Halloween"|Dictionary.com|October 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Love seldom reaches upward to solemnity; but love in the bosom of God,--is there nothing solemn there?
Library Of The World's Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 3|Various
I give you the assurance with all the solemnity possible that my devotion to her is greater to-day than ever.
The Faith Doctor|Edward Eggleston

The cloisters are surpassed by none in beauty of architecture and solemnity of effect.
A Comprehensive History of Norwich|A. D. Bayne
The solemnity of her husband's assertion made Clarissa grave.
The Voyage Out|Virginia Woolf
He didnt mind in the least, so long as he succeeded in keeping off her solemnity.
Adrienne Toner|Anne Douglas Sedgwick

British Dictionary definitions for solemnity

solemnity

/ (səˈlɛmnɪtɪ) /

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