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.
Hear it pronounced