solemn
5 dictionary results for: Solemn
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
sol·emn 
[sol-uhm] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[sol-uhm] Pronunciation Key –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 grave2. 2. august, imposing, stately. 4. ritual, ceremonial. 6. devotional, sacred.
—Antonyms 1. humorous. 2. trivial.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| sol·emn
(sŏl'əm) Pronunciation Key
adj.
[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. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
solemn
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
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| solemn | |
adjective | |
| 1. | dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises; "a grave God-fearing man"; "a quiet sedate nature"; "as sober as a judge"; "a solemn promise"; "the judge was solemn as he pronounced sentence" [syn: grave] |
| 2. | characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions; "both sides were deeply in earnest, even passionate"; "an entirely sincere and cruel tyrant"; "a film with a solemn social message" [syn: earnest] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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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