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Solemn - 4 dictionary results

sol⋅emn

  [sol-uhm]
Use Solemn in a Sentence
–adjective
1. grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood: solemn remarks.
2. gravely or somberly impressive; causing serious thoughts or a grave mood: solemn music.
3. serious or earnest: solemn assurances.
4. characterized by dignified or serious formality, as proceedings; of a formal or ceremonious character: a solemn occasion.
5. made in due legal or other express form, as a declaration or agreement: a solemn oath.
6. marked or observed with religious rites; having a religious character: a solemn holy day.
7. uttered, prescribed, or made according to religious forms: a solemn ban on sacrifice.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME solem(p)ne (< OF) < LL sōlennis, sōlempnis, L sōlemnis, var. of sollemnis consecrated, holy, deriv. of sollus whole

Related forms:
sol⋅emn⋅ly, adverb
sol⋅emn⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. unsmiling, serious. See grave 2 . 2. august, imposing, stately. 4. ritual, ceremonial. 6. devotional, sacred.

Antonyms:
1. humorous. 2. trivial.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Solemn
sol·emn   (sŏl'əm)   
adj.  
  1. Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.
  2. Somberly or gravely impressive. See Synonyms at serious.
  3. Performed with full ceremony: a solemn High Mass.
  4. Invoking the force of religion; sacred: a solemn vow.
  5. Gloomy; somber.

[Middle English solemne, from Old French, from Latin sollemnis, established, customary; see sol- in Indo-European roots.]
sol'emn·ly adv., sol'emn·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Solemn

Sol"emn\, a. [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) 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : Solemn
Spanish: solemne,
German: ernst,
Japanese: まじめな
More Translations »

solemn 
c.1290, from O.Fr. solempne (Fr. solennel), from L. sollemnis "formal, ceremonial, traditional," perhaps related to sollus "whole" (see safe (adj.). Solemnize is recorded from 1382.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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