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. “On this solemn day.” Chaucer.
3. Stately; ceremonious; grand.
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.
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.