solemnity

Meaning

Noun

• The quality of being deeply serious and sober or solemn.
• An instance or example of solemn behavior; a rite or ceremony performed with reverence.
• A feast day of the highest rank celebrating a mystery of faith such as the Trinity, an event in the life of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, or another important saint.
• A solemn or formal observance; proceeding according to due form; the formality which is necessary to render a thing done valid.
• A celebration or festivity.

Origin

• solemn + -ity, from Middle English solemnity ("observance of formality and ceremony"), frequently in the phrases in solemnity, with solemnity, which from Old French solemnite, from Latin sollemnitās, from sollemnis. (Compare solemn.)