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.