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 1913.

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