[syn: earnest, sincere, solemn]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned. --Milton.
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The worship of this image was advanced, and a solemn
supplication observed everry year. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
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2. Pertaining to a festival; festive; festal. [Obs.] "On this
solemn day." --Chaucer.
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3. Stately; ceremonious; grand. [Archaic]
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His feast so solemn and so rich. --Chaucer.
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To-night we hold a splemn supper. --Shak.
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4. Fitted to awaken or express serious reflections; marked by
seriousness; serious; grave; devout; as, a solemn promise;
solemn earnestness.
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Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage
With solemn touches troubled thoughts. --Milton.
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There reigned a solemn silence over all. --Spenser.
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5. Real; earnest; downright. [Obs. & R.]
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Frederick, the emperor, . . . has spared no expense
in strengthening this city; since which time we find
no solemn taking it by the Turks. --Fuller.
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6. Affectedly grave or serious; as, to put on a solemn face.
"A solemn coxcomb." --Swift.
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7. (Law) Made in form; ceremonious; as, solemn war;
conforming with all legal requirements; as, probate in
solemn form. --Burrill. --Jarman. --Greenleaf.
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Solemn League and Covenant. See Covenant, 2.
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Syn: Grave; formal; ritual; ceremonial; sober; serious;
reverential; devotional; devout. See Grave.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
solemn
adj 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, sedate, sober, solemn]
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, sincere,
solemn]