solemnity

[ suh-lem-ni-tee ]

/ səˈlɛm nɪ ti /

the state or character of being solemn; earnestness; gravity; impressiveness: the solemnity of a state funeral.

Often solemnities. a solemn observance, ceremonial proceeding, or special formality: the solemnities of Easter.

Law. a formality that renders an act or document valid.

Origin of solemnity

1250–1300; Middle English solempnete < Old French < Latin sollemnitās, equivalent to sollemnis solemn + -itās- -ity

o·ver·so·lem·ni·ty, noun sem·i·so·lem·ni·ty, noun su·per·so·lem·ni·ty, noun

Ghusul is a ritual cleansing from head to toe, in this instance performed with all the solemnity of a trip to a water park.

ISIS Has a Bigger Coalition Than We Do |Michael Daly |October 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The Roman Catholic Church refers to it as the “Solemnity of All Saints.”

The Meaning of "Halloween" |Dictionary.com |October 29, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
Love seldom reaches upward to solemnity; but love in the bosom of God,--is there nothing solemn there?

Library Of The World's Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 3 |Various
I give you the assurance with all the solemnity possible that my devotion to her is greater to-day than ever.

The Faith Doctor |Edward Eggleston

The cloisters are surpassed by none in beauty of architecture and solemnity of effect.

A Comprehensive History of Norwich |A. D. Bayne
The solemnity of her husband's assertion made Clarissa grave.

The Voyage Out |Virginia Woolf
He didnt mind in the least, so long as he succeeded in keeping off her solemnity.

Adrienne Toner |Anne Douglas Sedgwick

solemnity

/ (səˈlɛmnɪtɪ) /

the state or quality of being solemn

(often plural) solemn ceremony, observance, celebration, etc

law a formality necessary to validate a deed, act, contract, etc