solemnity
/səˈlemnəti/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈlemnəti/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈlem-nə-tē/ (ame, mw)
solemnity — noun
1. a quiet, deeply serious mood or manner, with no joking, that shows respect for a
a quiet, deeply serious mood or manner, with no joking, that shows respect for an important moment.
The solemnity of the war memorial made every visitor lower their voice.
the solemnity of + [place/event]
Christopher spoke with great solemnity as he read his late father's last letter.
with great solemnity for a serious manner
A sudden solemnity fell over the room when the doctor began to speak.
Élise admired the calm solemnity of the old monks during their morning prayers.
The judge listened to the verdict with a stillness and solemnity that hushed the court.
- gravity
very close, but gravity stresses the weight or importance of the matter
- seriousness
plainer and more general; solemnity adds a sense of formal dignity
- sombreness
leans toward a sad or gloomy shade; solemnity need not be sad
文法句型
the solemnity of [something]
用法筆記
Often follows 'the solemnity of' + a place, event, or occasion. Distinguish from sense 2: this names the felt mood or manner itself, not the set of formal acts people perform.
常見錯誤
2. the dignified words and actions that people carry out at a serious public event
the dignified words and actions that people carry out at a serious public event — at a burial, a wedding, or a state occasion, for example.
The funeral solemnities lasted two hours, with prayers, hymns, and a long silence.
plural 'solemnities' for the set of ceremonial acts
Valentina helped plan the solemnities for the town's hundredth-anniversary service.
solemnities for [a serious occasion]
Soldiers performed the usual solemnities before the flag was lowered at sunset.
Hari guided the guests through the wedding solemnities, telling each person where to stand.
The royal funeral was marked by solemnity that the whole nation watched on television.
- rites
set religious or formal acts; narrower and more ritual-focused
- ceremony
the whole formal event; solemnities are the dignified parts within it
- observances
formal acts done out of custom or duty; close in this sense
文法句型
the solemnities of [an occasion]
用法筆記
Frequently plural ('solemnities') when it names the separate ceremonial acts. Distinguish from sense 1 (SERIOUSNESS): here the word points to the things people do at the event, not the mood they feel.