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SOLEMNITY
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A trait of dignified seriousness
Synonyms:
sedateness; solemness; solemnity; staidness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("solemnity" is a kind of...):
earnestness; serious-mindedness; seriousness; sincerity (the trait of being serious)
Derivation:
solemn (characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions)
solemn (dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A solemn and dignified feeling
Synonyms:
gravity; solemnity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("solemnity" is a kind of...):
feeling (the experiencing of affective and emotional states)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solemnity"):
earnestness; seriousness; sincerity (an earnest and sincere feeling)
Derivation:
solemn (characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions)
solemn (dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises)
Context examples:
The Abbot spoke in Latin now, as a language which was more fitted by its age and solemnity to convey the thoughts of two high dignitaries of the order.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"You have heard, I suppose," said he with great solemnity, as soon as he was seated, "of the very shocking discovery that took place under our roof yesterday."
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
This faith gives a solemnity to his reveries that render them to me almost as imposing and interesting as truth.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
But as a rule he managed to maintain a dignity that was almost solemnity.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
That was his style of talk, and at first I thought it meant nothing; but after a while, when he had tested me and sworn me in with all possible solemnity, he let me understand that there really was a plot to gain command of the vessel.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But Henry was too much amused by the interest he had raised to be able to carry it farther; he could no longer command solemnity either of subject or voice, and was obliged to entreat her to use her own fancy in the perusal of Matilda's woes.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
This nut, he continued, with playful solemnity, while so many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed capable of.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Her name was not mentioned;—and there was so striking a change in all this, and such an ill-judged solemnity of leave-taking in his graceful acknowledgments, as she thought, at first, could not escape her father's suspicion.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
He turned to me, and said with grave solemnity:— Not so; alas! not so. It is only the beginning!
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
He took leave of his relations at Longbourn with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father another letter of thanks.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
