solemnity

Noun

solemnity (countable and uncountable, plural solemnities)

1. The quality of being deeply serious and sober or solemn.
   • the solemnity of a funeral
   • The stateliness and gravity of the Spaniards shows itself in the solemnity of their language.1711 August 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “FRIDAY, August 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 158; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New...

   Synonyms:

   gravity

2. An instance or example of solemn behavior; a rite or ceremony performed with reverence.
   • Great was the cauſe; our old ſolemnities / From no blind zeal or fond tradition riſe, / But ſav'd from death, our Argives yearly pay / Theſe grateful honours to the God of Day.c. 1699 – 1703, Alexander Pope, “The First Book of Statius His Thebais”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC...
   • This is the Man after God's Heart, […] by endeavouring, when he aſſiſted at thoſe Solemnities, to perform them with the utmoſt Attention, Alacrity, and holy Warmth of Mind, of which he was capable.1698 December 1 (Gregorian calendar), Francis Atterbury, “The Usefulness of Church Musick, a Sermon Preached on St. Cecilia’s Day, in 1698”, in Thomas Moore, editor, Sermons on Several Occasions....
3. 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.
4. A solemn or formal observance; proceeding according to due form; the formality which is necessary to render a thing done valid.
5. (obsolete) A celebration or festivity.