cer·e·mo·ny   (sěr'ə-mō'nē)    n.   pl. cer·e·mo·nies A formal act or set of acts performed as prescribed by ritual or custom: a wedding ceremony; the Japanese tea ceremony. A conventional social gesture or act of courtesy: the ceremony of shaking hands when introduced. A formal act without intrinsic purpose; an empty form: ignored the ceremony of asking for comments from other committee members. Strict observance of formalities or etiquette: The head of state was welcomed with full ceremony. [Middle English ceremonie, from Latin caerimōnia, religious rite.]

Ceremony

Cer"e*mo*ny\, n.; pl. Ceremonies. [F. c['e]r['e]monie, L. caerimonia; perh. akin to E. create and from a root signifying to do or make.]

1. Ar act or series of acts, often of a symbolical character, prescribed by law, custom, or authority, in the conduct of important matters, as in the performance of religious duties, the transaction of affairs of state, and the celebration of notable events; as, the ceremony of crowning a sovereign; the ceremonies observed in consecrating a church; marriage and baptismal ceremonies.

According to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof shall ye keep it [the Passover]. --Numb. ix. 3

Bring her up the high altar, that she may The sacred ceremonies there partake. --Spenser.

[The heralds] with awful ceremony And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim A solemn council. --Milton.

2. Behavior regulated by strict etiquette; a formal method of performing acts of civility; forms of civility prescribed by custom or authority.

Ceremony was but devised at first To set a gloss on . . . hollow welcomes . . . But where there is true friendship there needs none. --Shak.

Al ceremonies are in themselves very silly things; but yet a man of the world should know them. --Chesterfield.

3. A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland, etc. [Obs.]

Disrobe the images, If you find them decked with ceremonies. . . . Let no images Be hung with C[ae]sar's trophies. --Shak.

4. A sign or prodigy; a portent. [Obs.]

C[ae]sar, I never stood on ceremonies, Yet, now they fright me. --Shak.

Master of ceremonies, an officer who determines the forms to be observed, or superintends their observance, on a public occasion.

Not to stand on ceremony, not to be ceremonious; to be familiar, outspoken, or bold.

ceremony 

ceremony

see stand on (ceremony).