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Solemn - 5 dictionary results
sol⋅emn
[sol-uh
m] 
–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
1275–1325; ME solem(p)ne (< OF) < LL sōlennis, sōlempnis, L sōlemnis, var. of sollemnis consecrated, holy, deriv. of sollus whole
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Solemn
| Spanish: | solemne, | German: | ernst, | Japanese: | まじめな |
| 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. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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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| 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.
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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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