Category:Solemn

Sol"emn, a. Etym: [oe. solempne, of. solempne, l. solemnis, solennis, Sollemnis, sollennis; sollus all, entire + annus a year; properly, That takes place every year; -- used especially of religious Solemnities. Cf. Silly, annual.]

1. Marked with religious rites and pomps; enjoined by, or connected With, religion; sacred. His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned. Milton. The worship of this image was advanced, and a solemn supplication Observed everry year. Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. Pertaining to a festival; festive; festal. [obs.] "on this solemn Day." Chaucer.

3. Stately; ceremonious; grand. [archaic] His feast so solemn and so rich. Chaucer. To-night we hold a splemn supper. Shak.

4. Fitted to awaken or express serious reflections; marked by Seriousness; serious; grave; devout; as, a solemn promise; solemn Earnestness. Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage with solemn touches troubled Thoughts. Milton. There reigned a solemn silence over all. Spenser.

5. Real; earnest; downright. [obs. & r.] Frederick, the emperor,. . . has spared no expense in strengthening This city; since which time we find no solemn taking it by the turks. Fuller.

6. Affectedly grave or serious; as, to put on a solemn face. "a Solemn coxcomb." Swift.

7. (law)

Defn: made in form; ceremonious; as, solemn war; conforming with all Legal requirements; as, probate in solemn form. Burrill. Jarman. Greenleaf. Solemn league and covenant. See covenant, 2.

Syn. -- grave; formal; ritual; ceremonial; sober; serious; reverential; Devotional; devout. See grave.