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ceremonial

 - 3 dictionary results

cer⋅e⋅mo⋅ni⋅al

  [ser-uh-moh-nee-uhl]
Use ceremonial in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by ceremony; formal; ritual: a ceremonial occasion.
2. used in or in connection with ceremonies: ceremonial robes.
–noun
3. a system of ceremonies, rites, or formalities prescribed for or observed on any particular occasion; a rite.
4. Roman Catholic Church.
a. the order for rites and ceremonies.
b. a book containing it.
5. formal behavior found at, or appropriate to, a certain occasion: the ceremonial of a state banquet.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML cēremōniālis, LL caerimōniālis. See ceremony, -al 1

Related forms:
cer⋅e⋅mo⋅ni⋅al⋅ism, noun
cer⋅e⋅mo⋅ni⋅al⋅ist, noun
cer⋅e⋅mo⋅ni⋅al⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. solemn, conventional, ceremonious. 3. ritual, liturgy.

Antonyms:
1. informal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ceremonial
cer·e·mo·ni·al   (sěr'ə-mō'nē-əl)   
adj.  

  1. Of, appropriate to, or characterized by ceremony; formal or ritual.

  2. Involved or used in ceremonies: ceremonial garb.

n.  

  1. A set of ceremonies prescribed for an occasion; a ritual.

  2. A ceremony or rite.

cer'e·mo'ni·al·ism n., cer'e·mo'ni·al·ist n., cer'e·mo'ni·al·ly adv.
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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Encyclopedia

ceremonial

the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by tradition or by sacerdotal decree. Ritual is a specific, observable mode of behaviour exhibited by all known societies. It is thus possible to view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans.

Learn more about ceremonial with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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