solemn

adjectiveattested in dialogue

United Kingdom//ˈsɒləm//
United States//ˈsɑləm//

Of or pertaining to religious ceremonies and rites; (generally) religious in nature; sacred.

adjective

1
Of or pertaining to religious ceremonies and rites; (generally) religious in nature; sacred.
2
Characterized by or performed with appropriate or great ceremony or formality.
Whereas the accentuated linearism, the angular stylization of the folds, the rhythmical course of the outlining and the solemn frontality conjoined with an air of regality in the pose seem to recall the formal repertory of the Corbolinus Master and his group […]
3
Deeply serious and sombre; grave.
4
Inspiring serious feelings or thoughts; sombrely impressive.
5
obsoleteCheerless, gloomy, sombre.

Etymology

From Middle English solempne, solemne (“performed with religious ceremony or reverence; devoted to religious observances, sacred; ceremonious, formal; of a vow: made under a religious sanction, binding; religious celebration, celebration of a feast day; famous, well-known; important; grand, imposing; awe-inspiring, impressive; grave, serious; dignified; enunciated or held formally”) [and other forms], from Old French solempne, solemne (“serious, solemn”) [and other forms], or from its etymon Late Latin sōlempnis, sōlennis, from Latin sōlemnis, from sollemnis (“appointed, established, fixed; common, customary, ordinary, ritual, traditional, usual; ceremonial, religious, solemn; festive; annual, yearly”) [and other forms]. The further etymology is uncertain; sollus (“entire, whole”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *solh₂- (“whole”)) + epulum (“banquet, feast”) (in the sense of a ritual; perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ed- (“to eat”)) has been suggested.

Forms

comparative: solemner, more solemn
superlative: solemnest, most solemn

sole · Only.Sole · A sea area, corresponding to the Sole Bank, to the north of…solely · Alone; exclusively.

solemn · Of or pertaining to religious ceremonies and rites; (generally) religious in nature; sacred.

solemnly · In a solemn manner.solicitor · One who solicits A lawyer offering most legal services to…solid · That can be picked up or held, having a texture, and usually…

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